'Jack was very keen to ride him' - American Mike leads Gordon Elliott's 11-strong Troytown team

American Mike is the place to start in a ferociously competitive Troytown given he brings a class edge and formidable course form.

He won a Grade 2 over course and distance in February, when he defeated Nick Rockett, before running one of his lesser races in Grade 1 company at Cheltenham. He also landed his beginners' chase here, beating the very smart Fact To File on chase debut.

When firing on all cylinders, he is a Grade 1 horse and he's won on all three of his seasonal reappearance. He has plenty going for him and his lofty position in the market is entirely justified.

Of Gordon Elliott's other ten contenders, Chemical Energy is another likely to prove popular with punters. He's well-equipped for this type of test based on his fifth-placed effort in the Galway Plate and good third in last month's Munster National. However, that wasn't the strongest edition of the Limerick race due to a score of non-runners and for all he is consistent, he doesn't appeal as well-handicapped.

Stuzzikini and Favori De Champdou also have claims but would prefer softer ground.

Henry de Bromhead holds two strong contenders in Life In The Park and The Short Go. Life In The Park will really enjoy the underfoot conditions. He ran a cracker when fourth in the Plate at Cheltenham last season and finished his race to good effect in the Galway Plate to get within a length and three quarters of Pinkerton.

This trip would have been a slight question mark for him in the past, but he's seeing out his races better and he's hard to knock out of the frame.

The Short Go ran a huge race at Cheltenham last month, pulling well clear with stablemate Senior Chief, and he did particularly well given he was the only one to make inroads from off the pace. He's more lightly raced than most and Darragh O'Keeffe opts for him. He has a cracking chance and it would be no surprise to see him challenging for favouritism come the off. 

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Yeah Man progressed nicely last season and travelled powerfully in the Irish National before a mistake three out knocked the stuffing out of him. This isn't an easy assignment first time out but he still has a bit in hand off 140.

Tyre Kicker is potentially the most fascinating of Cromwell's four runners. He was very progressive early last year, winning three on the bounce and ran a screamer after 18 months off when runner-up to Grandero Bello last month. Everything seems poised for a big run from him now he's snuck in off bottom weight and he's a strong each-way selection.

The Ian Donoghue-trained Lisnamult Lad also has each-way claims after putting in a nice performance to land a strong novice handicap at Cheltenham last month. Off an unchanged mark, he should be thereabouts and will enjoy the ground.

Donoghue bids for special success with Lisnamult Lad  

Since taking out his licence last year, Ian Donoghue has made a strong impression by saddling 18 winners across both codes and Lisnamult Lad has a big chance of securing a special success for him in the Troytown at his local track.

Lisnamult Lad: a winner at Cheltenham last monthCredit: John Grossick

The seven-year-old gave Donoghue his first winner at Cheltenham last month when putting in an excellent front-running display in a novice handicap under Sean Bowen. He relished the sound surface there and conditions should be ideal for him again. His trainer feels the step back up to three miles could see another step forward too.

"He always showed us that he had the potential to do something like he did at Cheltenham and he was very good on the day," he said. "I think the trip will suit and he stayed it over hurdles no problem, while the ground should ideal for him."

What they say 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of American Mike, Chemical Energy, Stuzzikini, Favori De Champdou, Riaan, Mars Harper, Where It All Began, Gevrey, The Goffer, Fakir D'Alene and Jumping Jet
We've had this race in mind for American Mike for quite a while and Jack [Kennedy] was very keen to ride him. He likes Navan, goes well fresh and seems to be in great form at home. On his day, he's a very talented horse, so hopefully he's on a going day. We've opted for blinkers for Chemical Energy, who ran really well in the Munster National and has plenty in his favour on this sort of ground. Favori De Champdou is a good, solid stayer but might prefer softer conditions. Stuzzikini is consistent and could run into a place. Where It All Began would probably like a bit more cut in the ground, but Fakir D'Alene will like conditions and a ran a cracker in this race last year. Mars Harper, The Goffer and Gevrey all have some good back form in big staying chasers but need to bounce back. We're putting cheekpieces on Jumping Jet, who is a lovely mare and might outrun her odds.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Perceval Legallois, Yeah Man, Ask Anything and Tyre Kicker
Perceval Legallois has been a bit frustrating as his rating has gone up plenty despite not winning. He might not be well handicapped any more but hopefully he'd have a chance if things fell his way. Yeah Man had a good campaign last season and travelled well to a point in the Irish National, but the long season may have taken its toll. He's had a couple of entries this season but the ground wasn't suitable and he's ready to go. Ask Anything ran well here when runner-up in the novice handicap final in March and was a good second in the Ulster National. Hopefully he has a good staying handicap in him. Tyre Kicker ran a belter at Galway on his first run back after a layoff. He's come out of that well and gets in off a nice weight.

Read our Sunday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: 'We know he likes Cheltenham' - Peaky Boy and Leader In The Park clash in race with good history 

2.35 Auteuil: Il Est Francais tackles France's King George as star's Kempton claims are tested 

2.55 Cheltenham: 'He is the one to back today' - expert analysis and trainer quotes for competitive handicap chase 

3.05 Navan: Cheltenham Festival aces Slade Steel and Better Days Ahead clash in Navan beginners' chase 

3.30 Cheltenham: 'This was the plan ever since we got such a nice mark' - key trainer insight for a fascinating Greatwood Hurdle 

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