The one race you do not want to miss on Friday

8.15 Kilbeggan
3m1f | AXA Smart Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase | 5yo+ |RTV

Why is it interesting?

A year ago Gordon Elliott added Kilbeggan's big race of the year to his long list of National triumphs when Rogue Angel was awarded the race on the disqualification of stablemate Timiyan, who failed a routine dope test.

Timiyan is one of eight Elliott-trained contenders in this season's 14-runner renewal with his team also including Swingbridge and Cecil Corbett, winners this year of the Killarney National and Roscommon's Connacht National.

Davy Russell partners Ned Stark, who achieved his first win for Elliott when scoring over three miles at Perth this month having previously won three chases for Alan King.

Ned Stark: got off the mark for Elliott at PerthCredit: Grossick Photography

Those taking on the Elliott army include the Henry de Bromhead-trained Full Cry, runner-up in the Connacht National last month and along with Swingbridge a winner over this course and distance.

Another with a National triumph to his credit is the John Ryan-trained Icantsay, winner of the Killarney National last year and third in his follow-up bid this campaign.

Noel Meade, last successful in the event with Tulsa Jack in 2016, is represented by Rathnure Rebel, the only contender making his handicap debut.

What do the stats say?

Two of the last four outright favourites have obliged, including last year's 4-1 joint-favourite Rogue Angel.

Caim Hill, who was 11 when he won the race for the second time in 2014, is the oldest horse to have landed the prize. The veterans this time are 12-year-old Cecil Corbett and three other members of Elliott's team – Ned Stark, Swingbridge and Measureofmydreams.

What do the trainers say?

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Mill Quest, Measureofmydreams, Barra, Swingbridge, Ned Stark, Cecil Corbett, Monatomic and Timiyan
The trip is a bit of a worry for Mill Quest but Katie O'Farrell is claiming 5lb off. Measureofmydreams is in good form and if he gets his jumping together he could go well. Barra was probably the classiest of our team over hurdles. She's scored at the course but lacks experience. Swingbridge is well exposed and went up a good bit for his Killarney win. Although he's 11, Ned Stark could have improvement in him. Cecil Corbett is well but he's gone up in the weights which will make it hard for him. Monatomic is the youngest horse in the race and we're stepping him up in trip which, hopefully, will suit. Timiyan has been off the track since November but he's in good order and can go well off bottom weight.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Full Cry
He seems in good form and has won over course and distance, so we're hoping for a good run.

Noel Meade, trainer of Rathnure Rebel
He's been an unfortunate horse and hasn't been the easiest to train. He seems well but we could do with rain for him.

What do our tipsters say?

A tricky edition. Rathnure Rebel has had his problems but is potentially well-treated under Sean O'Keeffe, for whom this is not an easy task at this stage of his career. The old boy Ned Stark, Davy Russell in the plate, could prove the answer for Gordon Elliott, who remarkably has two more runners in this than every other trainer put together. Respect also is given to Na Trachtalai Abu.
Johnny Ward

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