Course specialist Carriganog the pick of McManus quartet

Carriganog can keep up the good work for first-season trainer Joseph O'Brien by landing the Midlands National Handicap Chase (8.30 Kilbeggan).

The 14-strong field for the venue's annual showpiece is dominated by Ireland's leading jumps owners. Gigginstown House Stud has five runners, including last year's winner Ravished, and Carriganog is accompanied to post by three other JP McManus-owned horses, including the Francis Flood-trained Down Under whose good record at the track makes him a potent threat.

Carriganog was nominally under Aidan O'Brien's supervision when beating all bar stablemate King Leon in a similar event at Ballinrobe at the end of May. That was a reassuring effort against the backdrop of lapses in two of his three handicap chase starts last season.