Ladbrokes Irish National preview

Junior – marvellous servant to connections with Royal Ascot and Cheltenham wins under his belt. He's hardly coming here in the best of form though and it would be a mammoth effort from him to score under this weight.

You Must Know Me – a dour stayer and though an opening mark of 143 probably gives him plenty to do, a big performance still seems likely.

Magnanimity – not the horse he was before he suffered a serious injury in the RSA Chase in 2011. Running well lately but might struggle like he did in the Hennessy at Newbury in December. Pulled up here last year.

Sweeney Tunes – just failed in the Leopardstown Chase and as Davy Russell's pick of the Gigginstown five, he has to be a big player granted a bit of luck.

Competitive Edge – undoubtedly progressive but only six and goes much further than he's ever gone before. Perhaps too much too soon for him.

Cootamundra – smooth-traveller but you'd imagine he'd need plenty of luck given the usual waiting tactics that are employed. Still, with some layers going each-way the first five places he's one to be considered.

He'llberemembered – a likeable horse no doubt and his rider has been impressing lately, racking up three winners in recent times. I'd be worried about the chestnut getting home though and I'd overlook him for that reason.

Home Farm – impressed so much here last time that'd you be prepared to overlook his tender age and lack of experience. He has good men in his corner too with Arthur Moore and David Casey.

Jacksonslady – you get the impression that they've been building towards this target for a while with this mare. Barry Geraghty's presence in the plate catches the eye and she can go well without necessarily appealing as a potential winner.

Muirhead – Munster National winner in 2011 but you'd imagine there are better handicapped runners in the line-up. Said to want good ground.

Whodoyouthink – didn't get home here last year when eventually finishing seventh of the nine to get around. Difficult to envisage him faring much better now.

Rich Revival – fully deserves to be a leading fancy as he bids for four on the bounce now. The handicapper continues to make things harder for him and he is short enough in the betting too.

Marasonnien – Home Farm beat him well here last time. However a first-time tongue-strap could help and representing Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh he has to have every chance.

Away We Go – hasn't run in a chase since the Troytown of 2011. You'd have thought that there are more attractively weighted contenders in the field.

Romanesco – you don't see too many horses carrying the Potts colours and then the Gigginstown silks during their racing life. This fellow has raced for those two owners and more. Placings in the Paddy Power and the Kim Muir give rise to each-way hopes for him again here.

Cross Appeal – said to want good ground to be seen at his best and he'd be a surprise winner on what he's been showing lately. Pulled up here in 2012.

Jadanli – course winning Grade 1 winner in his time. Capable of good form still as an eleven-year-old as when winning the Thyestes three runs back but this is tougher.

Questions Answered – seems to have a pretty good profile for this race but his form suggests he could come up a little bit short again. The extra distance to be travelled here though could play to his strengths and he's respected.

Blazing Beacon – put up a pleasing performance to win a veterans' chase at Wexford last time but this is so much tougher and needs to step-up on anything he's ever achieved before.

Panther Claw – came through a bit of a 'grueller' to win at Navan just a fortnight back and that tempers enthusiasm a bit for his chance.

Start Me Up – pulled-up here last year but third in the Kerry National and fourth in the Limerick equivalent since. His form lately wouldn't have you picking him out as a likely winner.

Carlingford Lough – this fellow has generated plenty of chat this term. Finished fourth in the Leopardstown Chase but whether he quite wants three miles five is another matter.

Imperial Shabra – ridden by last year's hero of the hour in Andrew Thornton. Hasn't won over any further than two miles three. Hard to fancy.

Rapidolyte De Ladalka – proven over three and a quarter miles and shares his sire with Sprinter Sacre and Rubi Light. Should enjoy this extreme distance more than most but this is a different level of competition than he's been facing at Catterick.

Liberty Counsel – down the field in the Kim Muir last time. A similar scenario is likely here as she's done her winning on better ground.

Carloswayback – a pound out of the handicap. Lightly-raced and a reasonable type but would be a surprise winner on what he's been showing on most recent starts.

Goonyella – he's a good hunter chase and there should be plenty of enjoyable days ahead for his connections. This looks too tough for him at this stage.

Our Victoria – has likely been 'freshened-up' after pulling-up here over the course and distance in early December. Finished fourth as a 40/1 chance in the '4-miler' at Cheltenham in 2012 and it'd be a surprise were she to get that close again.

Paddy Pub – finished fourth here twelve months ago but doesn't come into this year's renewal in as good a form and likely that he'll find a fair few of his opponents too strong.

Quietly Fancied – didn't quite see it out in the Pat Taaffe when third behind Caduceus at the Punchestown Festival. Could go well for a long way but likely to be found wanting in the latter stages.

Verdict 1 – Home Farm, 2 – Marasonnien, 3 – Sweeney Tunes, 4 – You Must Know Me, 5 – Jacksonslady. (EM)