Racing Gowran and Navan previews: Monty's Pass takes his first step on the road back to Aintree at Gowran this afternoon and, appropriately on the day that is in it, the Grand National winner runs over hurdles.

The Jimmy Mangan-trained star has never won over flights but races in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle off a mark over three stone lower than his chase rating.

With Barry Geraghty riding in Britain, Garrett Cotter takes over in the plate and Mangan reported yesterday: "The ground (yielding) is a lot better than it normally is this time of year so we've decided to run.

"We galloped him this week on our point-to-point course and he is fit enough to run. I don't know if he is well enough handicapped to win but I would imagine he will have one or two more races over hurdles before the National."

The feature race, however, is Gowran's most important hurdle event of the year, the €60,000 Red Mills Trial, where Georges Girl, re-routed from Newbury because of the going, tries to boost the AIG form.

Placed in both the AIG and the Pierse, Georges Girl would deserve this Grade Two prize but the dry weather looks to be conspiring against her.

Her main opposition looks to consist of both Hardy Eustace and Khetaam, both 66 to 1 outsiders for the Champion Hurdle itself.

Hardy Eustace is being aimed at the shorter race despite being just 16 to 1 for the Stayers' and has over a stone in hand of Khetaam on the ratings. However, the drying out ground could swing things the way of Noel Meade's progressive six-year-old.

Rathgar Beau is the figures choice in the Grade Three Chase but this one has had plenty of chances and this one can go to Barrow Drive despite his 11-12 burden. The trip and the going should be suitable for the Tony Mullins runner who looks a possible contender for Cheltenham's Cathcart.

Willie Mullins has used the juvenile maiden to develop the careers of good horses like Holy Orders and General Cloney and he looks to have the answer to the second division this time with Silk Screen.

His opposition includes Leanardo de Vinci and Nassaro who has flattered to deceive in the past.

Mullins runs two in the opening division but Lemonstown Lad, consistent if luckless on the flat, looks an interesting newcomer on decent going.

Liscannor Lad, well backed when losing his rider at the third at Punchestown on Thursday, has Old Opry to beat in the Beginners Chase.

Meanwhile, Solerina can make her final start before Cheltenham a winning one in tomorrow's McCabe Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

The 11 to 2 third favourite for the Stayers' is having her first start over three miles but it's not the trip that is the main worry in the James Bowe camp.

"If she puts her best foot forward, then four or five miles is not a problem," said Bowe's son Michael yesterday.

Of more pressing concern is the less than inspiring form she is showing at home but Solerina was in the same mood before her last race at Naas and still won easily.

"It's fair to say I'm not 100 per cent happy with her but there is no reason not to run," said Bowe.

"We got the vet into her after Naas and everything is fine but if you asked me how she's working, I'd say as badly as usual!

"I'm assuming it is just her personality. Some morning's you'd swear she would collapse under you but she comes alive at the track. She's unlike her brother (Florida Coast) who shows everything at home and disappoints sometimes at the track," he added. Rosaker (25 to 1 for Cheltenham) is proven at the trip after winning at Gowran but Bowe also points to Mutineer's credentials.

Just six line up for the Grade Two novice chase where the drop in trip should be ideal for Barry Geraghty's mount Jim against the Arthur Moore pair, Munster and Junior Fontaine.

The Grade Three three miler looks more complicated but it is still hard to ignore the 130 rating that Yeoman's Point carries into the race. The Galway Man, off the track since running second to Colenl Rayburn, is an interesting contender but the Roche horse is difficult to oppose.

The impressive Forty Licks will have to be very impressive indeed in the bumper if he is to successfully carry 12-7. However, the Edward O'Grady runner did leave a powerful impression with his Christmas victory at Leopardstown.

Tony McCoy was the jockey to follow as he completed a near 35 to 1 double with Mondial Jack and Iznogoud at Kempton yesterday. The champion extended his advantage in the jockeys' championship to eight with two fine displays of power in the saddle, both for boss Martin Pipe.