Irish challengers have won six of the last seven runnings and PRENDS GARDE A TOI could be the ideal type for this race for Gordon Elliott, who landed it in 2020 with Milan Native who was also a 7yo novice. The selection finished well for fourth over an extended 3m3f at Punchestown last month and a stronger gallop today should see him to excellent effect. Waterford Whispers could relish the step up in trip and he may be the main danger ahead of last year's Pertemps Final runner-up Jeriko Du Reponet, who is also owned by JP McManus and could leave his previous chase form behind now that he is wearing cheekpieces over fences for the first time. The progressive Herakles Westwood, last year's winner Daily Present and the rejuvenated Gericault Roque are others to consider.[Ben Hutton]