Rest of U.K. and Irish racing

The other big trial for the Triumph Hurdle is in Ireland - the opening Grade Two 4yo hurdle at 14.55 CET at Fairyhouse, which sees the hurdling debut of the much-hyped Minsk (Dessie Hughes/ Ben Cooper), who is already favourite for Cheltenham without having jumped a hurdle in public. He finished last season by winning his last 3 races for John Oxx, including the Irish Cesarewitch, but still needs to jump and run well to score here as the opposition is strong. Burrenbridge Lodge (Keith Purcell/ Tom Doyle) and Bat Masterson (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon) both have good winning form over sticks to their credit, while Celebrity Sevi (Dermot Weld/ Mark Walsh) is at least the equal of Minsk on flat form.

The other big race at Fairyhouse is the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.30. This is usually the best Irish Grand National trial, and Willie Mullins runs his Aintree hope Prince de Beauchene (Paul Townend). Bostons Angel (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power) and Alfa Beat (Shark Hanlon/ Andrew McNamara) look dangerous, and so would Black Apalachi (Hughes/ Andrew Lynch) be, if anywhere near the form which saw him runner-up here in 2010 and then in the Grand National itself; however he has not run since, which is obviously a problem.

Newcastle´s Eider Chase at 16.25 can also be regarded as a National trial and is run over the extreme distance of 4 miles 1 furlong. Captain Americo (James Ewart/ Nick Scholfield) and Negus de Beaumont (Ferdy Murphy/ Lucy Alexander) are our fancies in a very open race.

There is also some decent flat racing on the all-weather at Lingfield, with two listed events. Our best bet here is Palace Moon (Will Knight/ Joe Fanning) over 6 furlongs at 15.50; he has won both his 2012 starts with the greatest of ease and can complete a hat-trick here.

Fairyhouse - betting forecast:
1. Race: Minsk - Burrenbridge Lodge - Midnight Oil
2. Race: Is Herself About - Shadow Eile - Sligo Publican
3. Race: Really Unique - A Country Girl - Pass The Hat
4. Race: Alfa Beat - Prince De Beauchene - Bostons Angel
5. Race: Ninetieth Minute - Mackeys Forge - Kilbrannish Hill
6. Race: Kilty Storm - Rudi Trucker - Zardsky
7. Race: You Must Know Me - Royal Sam - What A Story