Don Cossack likely to see off competition at Down Royal

Ireland’s top-rated steeplechaser Don Cossack has been left with what appears a straight-forward task in landing the first Grade One prize of the jumps season, Down Royal’s €140,000 JNwine Champion Chase.

Just once before in its 14-year history has the race attracted only four runners when Glenelly Gale won a sub-par renewal in 2003.

Don Cossack has over a stone in hand on ratings of his nearest rival, the English raider Rocky Creek, and will be all but unbackable to provide Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary with a fourth win in the race in the last five years.

The Grade Two Powers Whiskey Chase fell to Don Cossack last year and it looks a much more competitive heat than the feature with eight lining up including Paul Nicholls's raider, Ptit Zig.

Clarcam is the major Gigginstown hope this time and he will have no problem with softer conditions after running behind Cailin Anamh at Gowran last time.

The Galway Plate hero Shanahans Turn was a major disappointment in that, finishing last after never looking happy. It looks significant however that the in-form Henry De Bromhead is bringing him out again in such company.

Sunday’s most valuable Irish contest is the €50,000 Cork Grand National which given the unsettled forecast is likely to be an especially stamina-sapping contest over the three and a half miles.

It will be very different ground to what Screaming Rose made her debut on at Galway last month in the final bumper but she should strip considerably sharper for the experience.

My Hometown brings a big home reputation to the Beginners Chase at Naas and it will be disappointing if Barry Geraghty's first spin on him isn't a successful one.