Mullins filly looks an interesting type for a big-race triumph

Overall the portfolio has survived the rigours of the winter and is looking, Milsean and Montalbano aside, in reasonable order with five days to go. There are a few shorteners and there should, in theory, be some chance of getting a result or two.

With time running out, however, there's room for only one more horse to be added to the list, and that is Meri Devie, a filly I've been toying with putting up for some time, who can be backed at 14-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

She disappointed last time out at Leopardstown, and has a lot to find with Mega Fortune and Bapaume strictly on that run, but given the fine impression she'd made previously at the same track over Christmas – she beat Housesofparliament five lengths – it's probable she was nowhere near her best.