PJ Moriarty win puts Boston Bob in RSA frame with or without Dynaste

Should he turn up Dynaste will be tough to better, rated as he is 8lbs superior to his nearest rival according to the handicapper.

Stranger things have happened though, with his stable mate Grand Crus beaten into fourth by Bobs Worth – a horse rated 8lbs inferior to him – in 2012.

The ground could ultimately be the deciding factor for David Pipe’s grey, who has yet to win on ground better than good-to-soft in two attempts. The drier the going gets, the more likely the slower run RSA will be his destination.

Ireland has struck in three of the last four renewals chief and their chief hope this time around looks to be Boston Bob, turned over just once in seven runs over obstacles.

Although he lacks the chasing experience of nine of the last 10 RSA winners – who’d run in three chases or more – the Willie Mullins eight-year-old did win the PJ Moriarty Chase Novices’ Chase on his second start last time out.

The last three Irish RSA winners featured in that race and Boston Bob’s performance in coming from well back, having been outpaced, to nick the 2m5f contest by a nose, advertised the horse’s staying power – not mention his grit.

Close behind were Lord Windermere and Lyreen Legend and given the race’s status as a barometer for Irish RSA hopefuls both will have their each way backers.

If Dynaste does defect to the Jewson, then Paul Nicholls five-year-old Unioniste will be the next highest officially rated entrant.

The history books display only one winner of that vintage since 1950, but his task will be aided by a 2lb weight-for-age allowance and it was under the tutelage of his trainer Paul Nicholls that Star De Mohaison won as a five-year old in 2006.

As a half-brother to Grand National third and Gold Cup fifth My Will he should relish the RSA’s gruelling test of stamina.