Banker Josies Orders can get punters off to a flying start at Punchestown

The Grand National Trial is the feature on an interesting card where finding winners looks less daunting than it might normally be.

The opening cross-country contest (1.45) produces the most solid favourite of the day, and provided he can negotiate these obstacles with his usual elan, it is very difficult to see past the Enda Bolger-trained Josies Orders, and he looks a worthy banker.

The Listed novice hurdle (2.20) might have attracted a better turnout, but there are some promising types here that should make their mark in better company. Principal among those is Chosen Mate, impressive in a maiden hurdle victory at Fairyhouse and one that looks ready to take the step up in class in his stride. Prince D'Aubrelle has not run since scoring at Tipperary in May but came back from a long absence to win well that day and should be a big danger.

The maiden hurdle (2.50) is quite an open looking contest. Lethal Steps receives a significant four-year-old allowance here and the fact they are stepping him up to 2m4f to take on older company for the first time looks significant. He gets one of the votes, the other goes to the Jessica Harrington-trained Discordantly, who ran well enough at Navan last time at this trip behind subsequent Thurles winner Moratorium to suggest he can win a similar contest.

Plenty go to post with a chance in the 3m handicap hurdle (3.20), although it might be a race with quite a short-priced favourite in the shape of Global Racing, a winner over 3m here last month before running with great credit under his penalty subsequently. He should go very close. Also worth putting in are the Elliott runner Load Up Time who ran very well over this trip despite a final flight mistake at Navan, and the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Clontarf who was below his best at Fairyhouse last month but stays this trip well and would be a big player on his previous second to Brosna George at Fairyhouse.

The novice chase (3.50) is an interesting enough contest. Impact Factor is running out of fans but he did return to something like his best when chasing home Cilaos Emery at Gowran last month. He has to go in, as does Riders Onthe Storm, whose best form is over this trip and who did not appear to get home despite travelling very well turning in over 2m3f in the Grade 1 at Limerick over Christmas.

The Grand National Trial (4.20) is as open as one would expect, and as for finding the winner, the form of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas provides a lot of the clues. Fitzhenry stays this trip well and was doing his best work late at Leopardstown in staying on into third place behind Auvergnat. He sports blinkers for the first time and would do well to hold off the challenge of the strong-finishing fourth that day Solomn Grundy, while dour stayer Some Neck can get involved if over his fall in the Thyestes last time.

SELECTIONS

1.45
3. Josies Orders

2.20
1. Chosen Mate
2. Prince D'Aubrelle

2.50
13. Discordantly
20. Lethal Steps

3.20
2. Clontarf
11. Global Racing
12. Load Up Time

3.50
5. Impact Factor
6. Riders Onthe Storm

4.20
4. Some Neck
10. Solomn Grundy
11. Fitzhenry

Recommended perm 72 lines at €1 a line, total stake €72

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