Paul Nolan's prayers for rain have been answered which makes his Conyers Hill a very interesting alternative to those at the head of the betting in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The race is being run in memory of legendary Irish trainer Edward O'Grady this year following his death and he was in fact the last Irish-based trainer to win the race back in 2009 with Tranquil Sea.
That seems pretty incredible given how the Emerald Isle has dominated not just the Cheltenham Festival, but most of the major meetings in recent seasons, but the one sphere they cannot seem to crack for some reason is major British handicap chases.
It is surely just a quirk of fate, though, and Nolan obviously thinks his seven-year-old is worthy of the ferry.
The affable Nolan would admit himself he does not have the firepower of old, when he burst onto the scene at the turn of the century with the likes of Accordion Etoile, Colonel Rayburn and Cloone River he looked sure to be a major player.
A first Festival victory followed through Dabiroun in the Fred Winter, the likes of Joncol, Shinrock Paddy and Noble Prince kept him involved in the big races but slowly the quantity and quality dried up and it has been slim pickings in recent years.
Mrs Milner won the Pertemps Final in 2021 and Daily Present won the Kim Muir in March, however, so he is still a great target trainer and Conyers Hill looks worth trying over this trip having finished sixth in the Grand Annual.
Second under a big weight in a decent race on his return, he is on a lovely racing weight and has the right profile for this race.
In receipt of the mares' allowance, July Flower should be tough to beat in the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase.
Henry de Bromhead's six-year-old was a Grade Three winner on her debut for new connections when arriving from France and was not disgraced when fifth in Grade Ones at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring.
She could not have won any easier on her chasing debut and was rated higher over hurdles than Be Aware but is in receipt of 7lb while Burdett Road faces a stiff task on his chasing debut.
Olly Murphy's Long Draw is 20lb higher than when second at this meeting 12 months ago but still looks capable of playing a hand in the finish of the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle.
Narrowly beaten when the favourite at Haydock, he should strip fitter than when fourth at the October meeting.
French Ship is 8lb higher than when winning at the last Cheltenham meeting impressively but it might not stop him.
He runs in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle which sees several lightly-raced progressive types lining up but few have as much potential as this one.
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have unleashed several nice horses this season, but they will be disappointed if he does not end the season a good bit higher than 136.
Jubilee Express can continue Sam Thomas' good start to the season in the Debenhams Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase.
The fact Tom Cooper has booked champion jockey Sean Bowen for Celestial Tune tells you what he thinks of her chances in the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The potential star on show at Wetherby is Ben Pauling's Meetmebythesea, last seen finishing third in the EBF Final at Sandown.
He can win the Boyle Sports Daily Money Back Meetings Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, but it is far from a walkover against Ruby Island, Push The Button, Pleasington and Starcrossed Lover in what is a hot little race. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
CHELTENHAM: Race 1 - 14.35 Secret Force, Race 2 - 15.10 Jubilee Express, Race 3 - 15.45 JULY FLOWER (NAP), Race 4 - 16.20 Conyers Hill, Race 5 - 16.55 Long Draw, Race 6 - 17.30 French Ship, Race 7 - 18.00 Celestial Tune.
NAVAN: Race 1 - 13.50 Classical Creek, Race 2 - 14.25 Paul's Dream, Race 3 - 15.00 Colonia Victoria, Race 4 - 15.35 Ace Brannigan, Race 5 - 16.10 The Yellow Clay, Race 6 - 16.45 Dinoblue, Race 7 - 17.20 Kopek Des Bordes, Race 8 - 17.55 Lemmy Caution.
UTTOXETER: Race 1 - 14.07 Kabuki, Race 2 - 14.42 Queenofthejukebox, Race 3 - 15.17 Aworkinprogress, Race 4 - 15.52 Blacksamssenorita, Race 5 - 16.27 Brixson, Race 6 - 17.02 Drayton Flyer, Race 7 - 17.37 Eastern Fire.
WETHERBY: Race 1 - 14.15 Great Notions, Race 2 - 14.50 Smart Decision, Race 3 - 15.25 Bust A Move, Race 4 - 16.00 Meetmebythesea, Race 5 - 16.35 Smokeringinthedark, Race 6 - 17.10 Fresh Perspective, Race 7 - 17.43 Vintage Fizz.