MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’

4.50: HANDICAP — 2 MILES 4 FURLONGS

SeVeN of the last eight runnings of this race have gone to either Willie Mullins, Gordon elliott or Paul Nicholls and the trio provide more than a third of the runners this year.

Given he enjoyed a great day yesterday, elliott’s quartet may hold sway, with Sire Du Berlais a leading contender judged on his eye- catching performance at Fairyhouse.

Useful in his native France, he has clearly been tricky to train, but his performance last month when staying on steadily to snatch second suggested the fire still burns brightly. Carter McKay has a similar profile and, although he didn’t really excel in last year’s bumper, he was an honourable third behind Getabird and Mengli Khan at Punchestown. He also made the frame in a Leopardstown Grade One last month.

He is very much shortlisted along with MELROSE BOY, who could make a bold bid to wrestle the prize from the allconquering triumvirate.

The selection was a late nonrunner at Sandown on Saturday but has already won at today’s track with Kieron edgar aboard and he too should find conditions to his liking.