Irish Weekend Preview: Prince stakes his National claim

There is some intriguing action in Ireland this weekend.

Timeform's Stuart Jones takes a look at the best of this weekend's racing in Ireland...

The Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday often provides us with plenty of Grand National clues, and with all seven intended runners entered for the Aintree showpiece, including leading contenders Prince de Beauchene and Seabass, this year will be no exception.

Prince de Beauchene went to the head of last year's market after an impressive win in the corresponding event and it could well be a similar story this time around. He showed his well-being with a smooth success over timber at Limerick at Christmas, not subjected to anything like a hard time as he pulled over three lengths clear of Venture Capital. Still relatively unexposed for this top yard, we are still to see the very best of him over fences.

Last year's Grand National third Seabass made a very encouraging return over the smaller obstacles at this course earlier in the month and may well prove to be the biggest danger. Ted Walsh's stable star finished strongly under little more than hand riding when second to Rock Critic over an inadequate trip there, and that should have him spot on for this fitness wise. 

Quito de La Roque has to be respected after bouncing back to his very best when taking the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last time, forging clear as he beat Roi du Mee by six and a half lengths. A reproduction of that form would see him go close, but his record this season has been a little mixed and that does dampen enthusiasm somewhat.

Sunday's card at Naas features three Grade 2 events, the pick of which is undoubtedly the Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle at 15:35. 

The Paul Nolan-trained Defy Logic tops the Timeform ratings on 164p after creating a very big impression when winning a bumper and a maiden hurdle at this track, scoring by a distance on both occasions. This represents a big step up in class, but he certainly deserves to take his chance at this level, and rates as a very smart prospect.

Don Cossack's reputation has taken quite a knock since winning his maiden at Navan in November, held by Pont Alexandre there next time and not fully convincing with his response to pressure when only second to Mozoltov at Punchestown on latest. With question marks hanging over that rival, the biggest threat to Defy Logic could well come from Annie Power. Whilst her form isn't the easiest to pin down, contesting mares only events over hurdles so far, she's barely come off the bridle when winning any of her five starts so far and remains open to substantial improvement. She's in receipt of weight from all but Diplomatic in this and it will be fascinating to see how she fares on her first hurdling start in open company.

Of the remainder, Moscow Mannon looks open to the most improvement. Last year's Cheltenham bumper fourth got off the mark over timber at the first time of asking when comfortably accounting for The Paparazzi Kid at Navan in early-December. He reportedly suffered a setback after that win, but the level of form he achieved in bumpers suggests there should be plenty more to come from him over jumps. 

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