Ideal ground and trip for Kiely's Master Appeal in Connacht National

8.30 Roscommonthetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase | 3m½f | 5yo+ | ATR

Trainer John Kiely will be hoping the almost-500km round-trip from his Dungarvan, County Waterford base, to Roscommon will prove worthwhile on Tuesday evening as his recent Wexford winner Master Appeal bids to land the feature.

The Express Racing Syndicate's nine-year-old was given an excellent ride from Andrew Lynch, who keeps the mount in this €30,000 feature, 20 days ago at Wexford when getting off the mark at the tenth attempt in a beginners' chase over 3m1½f – defying a 278-day layoff to score.

The 127-rated gelding's trainer, who struck with his most recent runner Ancient Sands at 33-1 last week at Listowel, said: "Wexford wasn't a great race and we were unsure of the ground, but I'm hoping he can step up in class. I think the quick ground and three miles should suit him."

Davy Russell rides for the first time since May 7 and partners Pat Doyle's emphatic Mayo National winner Kaiser Black, while JP McManus is five-handed in his pursuit to land the prize for the first time since Ainama in 2012.

Oathkeeper will attempt to maintain the red-hot run of Joseph O'Brien in the Connacht NationalCredit: Alain Barr

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: "Shanpallas was disappointing the last day apart from getting a little trouble in running. But he's getting to that age now and we'd be more hopeful than anything else.

"Tesseract will come on for the run, but Joseph [O'Brien] says he's in good form and we can hope for a good run. Oathkeeper's Ballinrobe run was a nice effort and, although this is obviously a competitive handicap chase to begin with, we're expecting him to go well.

"Most of Riviera Sun's best form is on summer soft, so we'll see what the ground is like, but in an ideal world he'd prefer it a little slower. The Gatechecker was disappointing in the Mayo National and has a bit to prove."

James Motherway's Na Trachtalai Abu was always on the backfoot after a mistake on the final circuit at Kilbeggan last week but made strong late headway and his trainer is expecting another solid showing.

"He’s coming up again quickly after last Tuesday, but we’re happy with him," he said, adding: "We've got a nice racing weight on his back and the conditions and trip will be in his favour. He’s entitled to take his chance and I expect a good run."

Denis Hogan on Eiri Na Casca: 'He started off at 74, has won seven times and continues to improve'Credit: Caroline Norris

Allegio did Denis Hogan proud in Listed company at Leopardstown last week and the trainer/rider has one eye on the Galway Plate for his representative here, Eiri Na Casca.

Hogan said: “He needs to be settled early, dropped in and switched off to get the distance – three miles is as far as he wants."

"He started off on 74," he added, "has won seven times and continues to improve. I’ll be happy if he can run into the money and I’d love if he could get up a bit higher and creep up into the Galway Plate.”

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com