JP McManus sends out powerful team in bid for first Leinster National

MansionBet 'GetItReady' For Cheltenham Leinster National Handicap Chase (Grade A) | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV

JP McManus boasts a strong hand as he attempts to win his first Leinster National, with the leading owner having failed to have a runner in the first three with any of his 13 representatives since the first running of the handicap chase in 2009.

Castle Oliver has improved significantly since going handicapping over fences for Padraig Roche and is now up 30lb for a hat-trick of convincing successes after starting his chasing career with defeats of 100, 152 and 71 lengths.

The step up to three miles is an unknown for the mount of Mark Walsh but he has a handy weight of 10st 3lb, often a positive in this race as only Pairofbrowneyes, winner of this €100,000 pot for the past two years, has managed to shoulder more than 10st 12lb on his way to victory in the race's 11-year history.

Padraig Roche's Castle Oliver has gone up 30lb for his hat-trick of handicap chase winsCredit: Patrick McCann

McManus could run five in the MansionBet-sponsored prize, although The Long Mile isn't a certain runner after winning at Gowran Park on Saturday, and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Shady Operator is an intriguing contender.

This time last year the now 133-rated chaser was finishing a respectable seventh to A Plus Tard at the Cheltenham Festival but he has long appealed as one who could land a big handicap such as this when all falls right.

Gordon Elliott, who will be at Cheltenham walking the course ahead of deciding whether Envoi Allen runs in the Supreme or Ballymore Novices' Hurdle next week, is also seeking his first win in the race, having gone close with Space Cadet when second in 2018.

Cheb De Kerviniou makes plenty of appeal as he gains experience on these shores and rates a big danger to the McManus battalions under Rachael Blackmore, who won the race in 2017 with Abolitionist.

Chef Des Obeaux was bitterly disappointing at Gowran Park last time but cheekpieces are refitted nowCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins saddled the 1-2-3 in last year's contest and the long-absent Bonbon Au Miel, making his first start since falling behind Presenting Percy in the 2018 RSA Chase, and Thyestes flop Chef Des Obeaux are likely to feature high in many shortlists.

Key stat

Willie Mullins may have his sights set on bigger prizes at next week's Cheltenham Festival but he has the strongest record of any trainer in this valuable handicap, seeking his fifth win after the victories of Emma Jane (2009), Ballytrim (2010) and Pairofbrowneyes (2018 and 2019).

What they say

Padraig Roche, trainer of Castle Oliver
It's surprise he's improved so much and this is another big step up but he seems in good form and we hope he can keep improving. Last time it looked as though this longer trip could suit so we'll see how it goes. He has a nice weight and it's a great prize.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Chef Des Obeaux and Bonbon Au Mie
Chef Des Obeaux was disappointing in the Thyestes but we're putting cheekpieces back on him and hopefully that will help. The trip and ground will be fine for him but it'll be a big task off top weight. Bonbon Au Miel has been off since the RSA Chase in 2018 but he seems well ahead of his first handicap run. We're hoping for a good run but he may need it after such a long break.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Ah Littleluck
His jumping can be a little in and out and if the ground turned out to be tacky it wouldn't suit him, but hopefully he should run well if he jumps well.

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