Grand National hero Minella Times bidding to go one better than last year

Sunday: 2.25 Leopardstown
Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A)| 2m5½f | 5yo+ | RTE2/ITV4/RTV

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JP McManus was out of luck when saddling ten runners in this race in 2020, but it was a different story last year when his eight representatives saw him supply the 1-2-5-7-8.

Sunday's €125,000 assignment was also the launchpad for an unforgettable Randox Grand National success for Minella Times, who was beaten just half a length here before going on to win at Aintree.

Rated 159, 19lb higher than his mark in this race last year, Minella Times is reunited with Rachael Blackmore in a bid to bounce back from a fall in the John Durkan Memorial Chase nine weeks ago, having been detached from the field at the time.

Minella Times: reunited with Rachael Blackmore on Sunday at LeopardstownCredit: Edward Whitaker

At the opposite end of the weights, McManus's Birchdale is an intriguing contender after an eyecatching sixth in the Paddy Power Chase here in December.

This shorter trip should be ideal and Mark McDonagh's 7lb claim offsets his being 4lb out of the handicap.

Fakir D'Alene and Mortal should be on the premises for Gordon Elliott, while it will be interesting to see how the market assesses The Shunter considering he hasn't been seen since finishing fourth in the Galway Plate.

Foxy Jacks disappointed in the Thyestes when probably doing too much too early, but he could have a big handicap in him when all falls right.

What they say

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Minella Times, The Shunter, Ten Ten, Winter Escape and Birchdale
Minella Times had a hard fall at Punchestown but Henry [de Bromhead] is happy with him again. You'd like to see him run a nice race and be able to head back to Aintree later in the spring. Emmet [Mullins] is pleased with The Shunter and is expecting him to run a nice race. We thought Ten Ten would run well at Limerick but he didn't perform for some reason, whether it be the ground or something else. Philip [Dempsey] thinks that he's back in good form and hopefully the ground should be nice for him. Winter Escape and Birchdale both ran well over Christmas and seem back in good form. They'll both hopefully give a good account of themselves.

Birchdale: previously classy hurdler shaped encouragingly last time in the Paddy Power ChaseCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Townend, rider of Blackbow
I don't think the trip will hinder him too much. He can only have come on from his first run of the season, but it is a super hot contest. We are carrying a lot of weight, but he is a horse who has promised a lot throughout his career and hopefully he is going to fulfil his potential.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Samcro, Fakir D'Alene, Definite Plan and Mortal
Samcro was a superstar in the past and has had a lot of problems. He seems in good form at home and we're just hoping he can run well, but he's been disappointing this year. Fakir D'Alene has won his last two and has gone up a bit in the handicap. Definite Plan won at Cheltenham two starts ago, but it's been hard to find races for him. He likes nice ground. I thought Mortal, at a massive price, could have an each-way chance.

Oliver McKiernan, trainer of Gallant John Joe
He's getting back, but whether he's back to his old form, we're not sure. He's a big horse and he's had leg trouble. He takes a bit of getting fit. We're hoping for a good run.

Francis Casey, trainer of Max Flamingo
He goes there in very good form and likes nice ground. The Irish National is his aim and hopefully this experience will do him good.

Read a selection of Sunday previews . . .

3.00 Leopardstown: 'It's exciting and nerve-racking' – history awaits Honeysuckle in Irish Champion Hurdle

1.20 Leopardstown: just how good is Galopin Des Champs? Potential superstar set for tough test

1.50 Leopardstown: Paul Townend puts faith in 'electric' Chacun Pour Soi to shine in Dublin Chase

Big-race analysis: why the dominant Chacun Pour Soi will be hard to beat on home soil (Members' Club)

2.40 Musselburgh: 'He has a live chance' – which trainer is looking forward to the better ground?

3.35 Leopardstown: Sir Gerhard in pole position Mullins' strong Supreme hand

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