Envoi Allen the banker to begin with a win

1.30

It is impossible to look beyond ENVOI ALLEN, who was being considered for the Champion Hurdle until recently. He has accomplished every task he has been set in the style of a top-class performer and can retain his unbeaten record. Sporting John progresses with every run and blew away some decent rivals at Ascot last time; he could be the one to chase home the favourite. Longhouse Poet finished seven lengths behind Envoi Allen at Naas in January and I can find no logical reason why he should gain his revenge.

2.10

Willie Mullins holds all the aces with Easy Game, Castlebawn West and ALLAHO. Of the trio, I feel that Allaho has the greater potential, especially at this trip. He was beaten by Easy Game over 2m 5f at Christmas but that tactical affair suited Easy Game more and Allaho’s proven stamina can see him prevail. Minella Indo was a 50-1 chance when winning the Albert Bartlett here last year but has since proved that was no fluke with some convincing displays. Copperhead is probably the pick of the home team. He looked pretty smart when pulling 17 lengths clear of some promising young chasers at Ascot.

2.50

DAME DE COMPAGNIE has a few pounds in hand according to my calculations and also has a solid profile in that he is proven over the track, lightly raced and represents Nicky Henderson, who has won this race three times since 2010. Protektorat is another that the statistics suggest should be a factor. He took a while to get off the mark over hurdles but is progressing well now. Champagne Well has a touch of class and can race off a fair mark. He too has some commendable course form. Black Tears and Eglantine Du Seuil both ran well in the Mares Hurdle here a year ago and are respected.

3.30

The absence of Altior is disappointing but the clash between Chacun Pour Soi and DEFI DU SEUIL remains intriguing. Both are top-class two-mile chasers and while I can see a slight negative over Chacun Pour Soi – he has had just five runs over fences and that inexperience may count against him – I believe that Defi Su Seuil is just about bomb proof – especially on a track he relishes. He has polished his jumping and is looking the real deal now. Dynamite Dollars should improve for his recent Newbury run.

4.10

If the official handicapper is to be believed and TIGER ROLL is a 171 horse then surely he will prove too good at level weights for these rivals – the pick of which can boast a figure no higher than Might Bite’s 158. Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll is, after all, anything but a one-trick pony, having also won this race for the past two years and a hurdle race over 2m 5f in between. Easysland, Urgent De Gregaine and Neverushacon may contest the places.

4.50

This is a race that has thrown up more than its share of surprises – six of the past 10 winners started at 25-1 or bigger – and one where form is often of little help. One is definitely seeking an unexposed horse. THYME WHITE fits this bill and has the added advantage of being trained by Paul Nicholls, who knows what is required having won it three times. Nicholls has run 19 horses in this race since 2010 and almost 50 per cent have made the frame. Others that catch the eye are Palladium, Blacko and Galahad Quest.

5.30

It is hard to knock the emphatic Leopardstown success of Appreciate It, where he easily accounted for a host of previous bumper winners, but the market reflects that – in fact, I think it has overreacted – and he makes no appeal at such short odds in a race that is full of horses with decent form and possessing immense potential. QUEENS BROOK won his only bumper by 21 lengths and it could have been many more as he sauntered clear up the home straight without being put under pressure. He must be a smart horse. Ask A Honey Bee, Panic Attack and Ocean Wind have all done more than enough to warrant their chance in an eternally difficult race to solve.