Boylesports Irish Grand National April 17th Handicap Chase (0-109)

Last year's winner Sunsetstorise looks very much up against it to follow up for his new trainer on recent evidence but the same certainly cannot be said of HOLEINTHEWALL BAR. He was an effortless winner at Down Royal earlier this week and will scarcely know he had a race. The extra yardage isn't a worry and he will take plenty stopping. St Maxime would be a threat on previous form but has to defy a long layoff which rather tempers any enthusiasm at this stage. The chief threat ought to come from Tulpar, who returned to action with a game Punchestown success last month. The front two were well clear in that and he stands a big chance if not suffering any ill-effects. Town Pond may run well for a long way but the formbook suggests he'll find it harder the close they get to home. 1. Holeinthewall Bar 2. Tulpar 3. Town Pond