Kerry National runner-up Arkwrisht leads Gigginstown assault

4.25 Limerick
JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase | Grade A | 3m | 4yo+ | ATR

Gigginstown House Stud's haul of big handicap chase wins last season included Tiger Roll's victory in this event and the leading owners are well represented in Sunday's renewal with Alpha Des Obeaux, Rogue Angel, Arkwrisht and Net D'Ecosse.

The Charles Byrnes-trained Shanpallas, the 2014 winner, is one of five runners for JP McManus, who is also represented by the Joseph O'Brien-trained pair Slowmotion and King Leon, Enda Bolger's Auvergnat and Rock On Fruity, a stablemate of Shanpallas.

Arkwrisht heads O'Brien trio

Arkwrisht, beaten half a length by Potters Point when second in the Kerry National, is one of three runners for Joseph O'Brien along with Galway Plate third Slowmotion and King Leon.

O'Brien said: "Arkwrisht has been in good form since his very good run at Listowel and we're very happy with him. Slowmotion disappointed in the Kerry National.

"Mark Walsh rode her and said she was never happy in the very testing ground. Hopefully the ground won't be as bad this time. She's in good form and so is King Leon, who struggled in the ground at Listowel."

Something new for big two

Total Recall represents the Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh alliance. The eight-year-old will be having his first run for the champion trainer having won three races for Sandra Hughes including a 2m4f novice chase at Navan.

Mullins said: "It will be new territory for Total Recall going the distance for the first time over fences. He's fit and well and we're going to learn a lot more about him."

Walsh will be bidding for a second win in the race, having scored on Dear Villez for Paul Nicholls in 2008.

De Bromhead bids for second win

Henry de Bromhead, successful with Sadlers Risk two years ago, is represented by last year's runner-up Stellar Notion, who wears cheekpieces for the first time, and three-time chase winner On Fiddlers Green, who is returning from a two-month break.

De Bromhead said: "Stellar Notion was disappointing at Listowel and it might have been down to the very testing ground. Hopefully conditions will be a bit better this time. We're trying cheekpieces to see if they might make a difference.

"On Fiddlers Green seems in very good form. The better the ground, the more it will suit him."

Past winners

The Gavin Cromwell-trained 12-year-old Raz De Maree is bidding for a second win, five years after the first when trained by Dessie Hughes. Also seeking a second victory is Shanpallas.

What they say

Mouse Morris, trainer of Alpha Des Obeaux, Rogue Angel and Dromnea
Our horses have been running well and the three of them are going there in good form. Alpha Des Obeaux and Rogue Angel are having their first runs of the season and we're hoping they go well. Dromnea has the recent form, having won at Listowel last month.

Charles Byrnes, trainer of Shanpallas and Rock On Fruity
Both of them are in good form and will be racing off nice weights. The ground just might be too testing for Shanpallas and might suit Rock On Fruity a bit better.

Noel Meade, trainer of Tulsa Jack and Net D'Ecosse
Both of them are in good form and hopefully the ground won't be too testing for them.

Enda Bolger, trainer of Auvergnat
He's had a short break, having shown good form in the spring and early summer. He won't mind the ground and we're looking forward to a good run.

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