'He has as good a chance as any' - who fancies their Munster National chances?

Saturday: 3.35 Limerick
JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Ontheropes took this valuable prize last year despite having failed to win over fences, and Ain't That A Shame will try to do likewise.

The unexposed eight-year-old is 0-4 over fences but that doesn't tell the whole story of his chasing career.

He bumped into Stattler and Galopin Des Champs in his first two beginners' chases, then hit a low of 1.03 in running on Betfair when caught in the final stride by Champagne Platinum at Navan, before being too keen in the Kim Muir when supported into 6-1.

A mark of 137 might underestimate Ain't That A Shame and he's just the sort of unexposed sort needed for a race like this. It's worth noting the Henry de Bromhead stable won this in 2015 with Sadler's Risk.

Eric McNamara could be triple-handed if Real Steel gets a run and his number one hope is surely Donkey Years.

He won the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the Punchestown festival on the final start of the campaign and you can expect an improved effort from his Listowel return.

Max Flamingo makes plenty of appeal at a double-figure price, especially if the ground is not too testing. Things didn't go his way in the Irish Grand National but he wasn't beaten far into seventh and runs off the same mark here.

It looks as though Francis Casey has singled out this race as his big early season target and that could reap dividends.

To add to his claims, seven-year-olds have won the Munster National for the last four years in a row, so he certainly has the right age profile.

Total Recall was the oldest winner in the last decade and he was only eight. It's a race for emerging talent. Total Recall was also the only winning favourite in the last ten years.

'He could be the dark horse'

Donkeys usually don't win races like the Munster National but that could change this year.

Donkey Years runs in the familiar JP McManus colours and trainer Eric McNamara is convinced he will take a giant leap forward from his seasonal reappearance at Listowel.

McNamara said: "He's in great shape and has improved a good bit from his run at Listowel. He needed it badly there. It's a wide-open race and I think he has as good a chance as any. I'm hopeful of a big run."

The local trainer, who is based in Rathkeale, could have three runners in the race if the reserve Real Steel gets in and he is keeping his fingers crossed that the former Gold Cup sixth gets a late call-up.

"He could be the dark horse in the race," McNamara said. "I'd love him to get in. He's got a bit of class and his last two or three pieces of work have been very good. He's improved a good bit from Listowel."

On Falco Blitz, he added: "He'll strip a lot fitter for his Listowel run. He's stepping up to three miles, which is a bit of an unknown, but he's in good shape. I was happy with him at Listowel."

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Early Doors and A Wave Of The Sea
Early Doors is versatile and the long-term plan is to train him for the Irish Grand National. He ran a nice race in that when fifth to Lord Lariat last season. A Wave Of The Sea is a good, solid handicapper and only six.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Coko Beach, Hurricane Georgie, Death Duty, Floueur and Defi Bleu
Floueur didn't jump well in the Irish National and kept making mistakes. He's better judged on some of his efforts from earlier in the season. He's not a bad horse when he's on song. Hurricane Georgie has been cursed with bad luck of late and exited early from the Galway Plate and Kerry National. She wasn't beaten far by good horses over a trip too short at Gowran and, while she's gone up a lot in the weights, I could see her running well. Coko Beach works at home like he's a three-year-old and will run in all these big handicaps again this season. We're taking 7lb off his back by using Corey [McGivern]. We're working back from Aintree with Death Duty and looking forward to getting him started again. Defi Blue rallied well to win at Fairyhouse over Easter and could run a nice race.

Gordon Elliott: saddles five runners in the Munster NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Francis Casey, trainer of Max Flamingo
I couldn't be any happier with him. He worked during the week and I was delighted with him. I think he's a different animal altogether compared to last season. He just has to get into a rhythm in the early part of the race. If he does that I think he'll run a big one. The one worry I do have is the ground, I hope it doesn't go too soft.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Velvet Elvis
He's very well in himself but I'd say he will definitely improve a lot for the run. We have an eye on the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury for him, so I'd say that's where you will see him after this.

Peter Fahey, trainer of The Big Dog
We brought him back in a bit earlier than usual but, no matter how much work you do with him, he always needs his first run back, so I've no doubt he'll come on plenty for the run. It's a competitive race but I hope he can run well.

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