Gold Cup second Anibale Fly warms up for potential Grand National bid in feature

Saturday: 3.45 Gowran Park
Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase | 2m2f | 5yo+ | RTV

The 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly is the class act on display in Gowran Park's €45,000 feature event on Saturday as he bids to take a step closer to a possible Randox Grand National bid.

Rated 145 over fences in Ireland, a 3lb higher mark with the BHA has ensured he will get into the Aintree highlight next month. This weekend's assignment comes over a trip short of the 12-year-old's best.

Conditions are expected to be testing at the Kilkenny venue and that should prove no issue for the Arthur Moore-trained The Priests Leap, who is better than he showed last time at Down Royal and is largely unexposed.

The Priests Leap: not overly exposed over fences for Arthur MooreCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Gevrey, representing Gordon Elliott, is on the up while Weihnachts is no back number for Philip Rothwell and JP McManus off bottom weight with cheekpieces added for the first time.

Rebel Gold, Bois De Clamart and R'Evelyn Pleasure have largely been consistent this season and shouldn't be too far away if delivering their A-game. Bold Enough would be a live player if sharp enough on his first start since October, but he is uncertain to be suited by testing conditions.

What they say

Pat Foley, trainer of Rebel Gold
He's probably been a bit unlucky not to win one this season because he hasn't really put a foot wrong. He goes on any ground. Hopefully Shane O'Callaghan's 7lb claim will help him if the ground is very testing.

Liz Doyle, trainer of Bois De Clamart
The blinkers have helped to sharpen him up this season. I don't know whether super heavy ground will really suit him as a lot of his better runs in good races have come on more reasonable ground, but he's won at the track before. I don't see the drop in trip being a problem for him. If he doesn't find the ground too testing then hopefully he can go close.

Rebel Gold: no back number for Pat FoleyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Arthur Moore, trainer of The Priests Leap
It's a good pot and we felt it was worth having a crack at it, although it is a competitive race. We're hoping he can run well.

Sean O'Brien, trainer of R'Evelyn Pleasure
He's been running well all year while bumping into a few good ones. I thought his last run at Leopardstown was a cracker considering he got in tight to the third and second last, and was still only beaten six and a half lengths. He's gone on soft ground before but I'm not certain about it being very testing for him. Some of his better runs have come on decent ground. If he does handle it, I'd expect him to run a big race.

Philip Rothwell, trainer of Weihnachts
He's been racing lazier this season so we opted to step him up in trip and it seems to have helped. Options were a bit limited so he's coming here, a course he's won at before over two miles. Hopefully he'll run well on the [testing] ground.

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