Can course specialist Neveradullmoment defy a substantial weight rise and complete the hat-trick?

There is only one place to start and that is with course specialist Neveradullmoment, who has certainly been living up to his name of late having won on his last two visits to Ballybrit. 

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old won a competitive handicap hurdle at the summer festival here, and returned the following month to belatedly open his chasing account at the 11th time of asking. 

Watching him that day made you wonder how it took him so long to get his act together over fences as he jumped for fun and coasted to a wide-margin win. 

That was off a mark of 113 and the handicapper has shovelled on 12lb so completing the hat-trick won't be easy. That said, he looked a vastly improved performer last time and seems to love the track so early shows of 3-1 look pretty generous.

Galon De Vauzelle also won last time out when successful in a 3m handicap chase at Listowel by 12 lengths. He got a 10lb rise for that while recording a Racing Post Rating of 121 – the joint-best effort of his career – and it would be foolish to think the hike will stop him in his tracks. Neveradullmoment might just have a few more pounds up his sleeve, though. 

Ask Anything would have a squeak on the best of his form, especially that near-miss in the Ulster National, and worries about him returning from a 184-day absence should be eased by the fact that he won first time out last season. 

Stuzzikini is solid, but may find one or two too good, while Grandero Bello is set to carry 11st 12lb and has to give weight to some improving staying chasers. 

Not since Portmore Lough won this in 2019 has a favourite obliged and Discordantly was 14-1 in 2020, but Neveradullmoment looks the percentage call here and can complete the hat-trick.

What they say 

Eddie Harty, trainer of Grandero Bello
We've been wanting to run him for a while but the weather gods have been against us – we've been waiting on rain. Hopefully it stays soft enough for us to run. He has some decent form in the book and we're looking forward to getting him started back. He's run well at Galway before, too.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Ask Anything
He's having his first run of the season. He was just touched off in the Ulster National at Downpatrick and would have to have some sort of chance on that form.

Gavin Cromwell: runs Ask Anything at GalwayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Stuzzikini
He certainly wasn't disgraced in the Munster National and you'd like to think this might not be as strong a race as that was. He's run well at Galway in the past, stays well and should have an each-way squeak in what looks an open race.

Read these next:

1.50 Aintree: can Hitman or Stage Star give Paul Nicholls a record-breaking success in the Old Roan Chase?  

2.25 Aintree: 'A repeat performance will see him go close' - analysis and key quotes for the veterans' chase  

3.15 Wincanton: 'He looks extremely well and is ready to provide high entertainment' - who fancies their chances in this staying handicap chase?  

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.