Papillon expected to land top prize

IF Opera Hat is to regain her best form, then today's circumstances are just right for the remarkable Naas specialist.

Opera Hat has won nine times around Naas, eight times over fences and three times in the Grade Two Queally Newlands Chase. Today she goes for four in a row in the £30,000 highlight, but this may be one time when the chemistry doesn't result in success.

Despite finishing runner-up in her last two races, Opera Hat has not shown quite the level of form this season that she has previously, and trainer John Fowler is admirably realistic about her chances today.

"The plan is to send her to Liverpool again and then Punchestown, but if she doesn't enjoy herself at Naas, then we may have to think again. I don't think she is quite the force she was but she is as well now as she has been all winter. Whether that is good enough, possibly not. But it might be," Fowler said yesterday.

The not insignificant fact that Opera Hat faces some high-class opposition today also comes into consideration.

The Queen Mother Chase prospect, Hill Society, tops the weights, but he would prefer better ground than today's forecast "soft to heavy".

Papillon should have little problem with the ground but he can be an in-and-out performer and his main objective this season is another bid for the Irish Grand National. Nevertheless, the small field should suit and the trip will not be a problem, judged by his defeat of Klairon Davis and Opera Hat at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The punters chasing the Jackpot, which has a carry over of £7,488, will be hoping for better luck than they had at Gowran last weekend, and Ted Walsh can again provide the solution to the opening leg in the imposing shape of Rince Ri.

This novice is not a probable runner at Cheltenham but he wouldn't be out of place there judged by his two successes over fences, here and at Navan, last November. Manus The Man is a decent opponent but Rince Ri should be up to taking care of him.

Another remarkable mare on show is Sallie's Girl who picked up a Grade 2 at Navan last weekend and whose consistently improved form over soft ground and a distance continues to surprise Noel Meade.

Today she goes in the Johnstown Novice Hurdle but the combination of two and a half miles and Fadoudal Du Cochet may deny Sallie's Girl this time. The mare likes to dominate from the front but Fadoudal Du Cochet is unlikely to allow her to do that, and Arthur Moore's charge is just preferred.

Pharawaydream is suggested as a realistic each-way option in the three-mile handicap hurdle, while Avondale Illusion should also go close at a decent price in the bumper.

Nicky Henderson notched his half-century for the season as King's Banker, carrying the colours of one of the trainer's best chasers, Remittance Man, took the Manor Novices' Chase at Kempton yesterday.

The eight-year-old, beaten a neck on his chasing debut, put in a convincing round of fencing under Mick Fitzgerald and despite slowing into the final two obstacles, the 11 to 8 favourite had seven lengths in hand of Native Player at the line, with another 10 to Strong Paladin.