'We're hoping for a big run off a nice weight' - quotes for the fiercely competitive Munster National

Thecompanysergeant is a fascinating contender in the 3m Munster National, given he brings some strong Graded form to the table on his handicap debut over fences and is likely to be suited by the marked step up in trip.

The Denis Hogan-trained chaser has run some huge races in defeat at a high level, most notably when beaten six lengths into fourth by the very smart Spillane's Tower in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse in March. A further encouraging effort came behind subsequent Grade 3 winner Ashdale Bob before he uncharacteristically put in an indifferent round of jumping behind Bowmore at Tipperary in July.

He was much more assured over his fences when getting off the mark over 2m2f at Galway and seems nicely handicapped off 136 on the pick of his form, while this trip looks fine based on racecourse evidence and his pedigree.

Horantzau D'Airy was the only horse to emerge from the chasing pack behind Flooring Porter in last month's Kerry National and he saw out the trip on soft ground in excellent style, which makes him a leading contender off a 4lb higher mark.

Gavin Cromwell saddles two live chances in Yeah Man and Perceval Legallois. The former proved very progressive last season, finishing a running-on second in the Silver Cup at Ascot before landing the Grand National Trial at Haydock in comfortable style in February. He travelled well until making a blunder three out in the Irish National and is a big player if ready to rock on his reappearance.

Perceval Legallois has some strong handicap form but needs to bounce back after a below-par effort in the Kerry National and would want rain.

Gordon Elliott is responsible for five, with Favori De Champdou particularly interesting given he's two from two at the track, including when showing a good attitude to repel Donacheady Gale in April. He brings formidable Graded form to the table, having landed the Florida Pearl in impressive fashion last season, and should be thereabouts on his comeback.

Panda Boy is definitely one to consider, particularly if the ground stays on the good side, given he's run belters when third and second in the last two runnings of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. He's well capable off this mark but has improved plenty for his reappearance in recent seasons.

Eric McNamara's runners can't be ignored given the season he's having and Real Steel would have solid claims based on his third in the Paddy Power Chase last season, while he didn't run badly in the Kerry National last month.

Going update

The ground was described on Saturday as good, good to yielding in places, with showers forecast before racing.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Chemical Energy, Favori De Champdou, Hurricane Georgie, The Goffer and Battleoverdoyen
Jack [Kennedy] is on Favori De Champdou and he's a course winner who will hopefully win one of these big staying handicaps this season. He's a nice horse. Chemical Energy didn't jump well enough in the Kerry National and never got into it. The better the ground, the better his chance. The Goffer has been disappointing. We know he's capable of a lot better than he's been showing of late. His work has been a lot better than his runs. Hurricane Georgie and Battleoverdoyen are both regulars in these types of races and both are capable of being very competitive.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Perceval Legallois and Yeah Man
It didn't happen for Perceval Legallois at Listowel, but he's been in good form at home. He'd have to improve plenty, but hopefully he can and is in with a chance. Yeah Man did well over the summer and this looks a good race to start off. He's in good form, but there's always the fear that he might need the run.

Eric McNamara, trainer of Falco Blitz, Embittered and Real Steel
We were happy with Falco Blitz's run at Listowel and I think the step up in trip will suit. Good ground would help him. Hopefully he can run into a place. He has form around the track which is always a bonus. Real Steel is in great form, will like the ground and ran well when sixth in this last year. Hopefully he has a live chance. Embittered is in great shape and has definitely come on for his run at Listowel. We'd like to see if he gets three miles.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Thecompanysergeant
He's proven over two and a half miles and we think he wants this trip. The trip was too short for him at Roscommon on nice ground, so we're hoping for a big run off a nice weight. We were gutted we didn't get into the Kerry National, but this looks a good race for him.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Another Choice
He ran a good race at Galway and snuck into this race off a nice weight. He ran well at Listowel off this mark last month and we think the trip will suit him.

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