Auvergnat bids for another national Connections have postponed Auvergnat's summer break as he bids to land another 'national' at Roscommon on Monday evening. The seven-year-old ran out a good winner of the Killarney National last month when a well-backed 2-1 favourite. Enda Bolger's charge, better known as a cross-country performer these days, was set to be put away after that comprehensive win but the €30,000 pot on offer for the thetote.com Connacht National seems to have proven a tempting opportunity. The French-bred handled testing conditions well down in Kerry last time and with rain forecast it looks set to be similar going for the extended three-miler. The placed horses from Killarney re-oppose with runner-up Kansas City Chief 6lb better off and third-placed Georges Conn enjoying a 7lb pull now. Auvergnat seemed to win with a bit in hand, however, and connections will be hopeful he can confirm that form. Carole Rose, a narrow winner over slightly further at the course last month, looks an interesting rival off a low weight. The preceding Boyle Novice Chase has attracted a quality field headed by the 142-rated Townshend. Willie Mullins' charge was a good winner at Punchestown last month, when landing his second chase, and sets a decent standard in the two-miler. An intriguing rival is one of last season's leading juvenile hurdlers Landofhopeandglory. The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding was last seen in action when chasing home Bapaume in Grade One company at Punchestown having been a fine fifth in the Triumph Hurdle previously. He gets a nice chunk of weight from his elders in the race and it will be interesting to see how he fares tackling the larger obstacles. Another smart novice hurdler going chasing for the first time is Peregrine Run. He was last seen finishing mid-division in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. Peter Fahey's charge sprang to prominence when taking a Grade Two event on the Cotswolds last November. Four Flat races open the card and Punches Pious looks an interesting runner in the Ballaghaderreen Handicap for Tom Doyle. He ran out a very impressive winner in testing conditions at Gowran last week and bids to defy a 10lb hike in the seven-furlong contest.
