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Tarbet Ness can follow up
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The Lovely Man has more to offer
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Jus de Citron can progress from chase debut
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14:12, Newcastle - Tarbet Ness can extend good run on the Flat
Tarbat Ness has mostly been hurdling, without success, in the last year or so, but it's been a different story on the Flat, winning three of his last four starts in that sphere with Mangan in the saddle each time.
He was hard to win with earlier in his career, but hasn't done much wrong lately on the Flat, and proved better than ever last month when successful over this course and distance by three quarters of a length from Dollar's Dream, with the pair finishing clear.
A subsequent 5lb rise in the weights looks fair for that win given it was supported by a good timefigure, and he seems sure to launch another bold bid - he tops Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.
Back Tarbet Ness in the 14:12 Newcastle
14:30, Punchestown - The Lovely Man has the right profile
Gavin Cromwell is a trainer worth respecting in this type of race, and while he hasn't won the Grand National Trial before, he can put that right this year with the hat-trick seeking The Lovely Man.
Trained by Colm Murphy prior to this season, The Lovely Man was still a maiden over both hurdles and fences until recently. However, on just his second start for Cromwell, he got off the mark in a handicap chase at Navan in December when beating stablemate Evies Vladimir, who takes him on again here, by five lengths.
The Lovely Man then followed up back over hurdles in a conditional jockeys event at Gowran last month when showing plenty of stamina over nearly three miles in heavy ground, so he looks bound to appreciate the extra distance and testing conditions here. Open to further improvement as a chaser, and with his stable going much better of late, The Lovely Man can win again.
Back The Lovely Man in the 14:30 Punchestown
16:20, Musselburgh - Jus de Citron looks the one to beat
Harry Derham, who has the Hot Trainer Flag, came away with a winner from Musselburgh's last meeting a fortnight ago and can make the long journey from Upper Lambourn worthwhile again, with Jus de Citron looking the one to beat in the handicap chase over just short of three miles.
The strong son of Saint des Saints made the frame in both his starts in Irish points and is very lightly raced under Rules. He won the first of just three starts over hurdles, a novice at Doncaster last season, and was soon switched to fences at Newcastle last month, showing improved form.
That novice handicap chase appealed as strong form, with Jus de Citron giving the impression he'll improve for a greater test of stamina - which he'll get over the extra half-mile here - keeping on gradually to be beaten a length into third behind Moon Phases. Jus de Citron earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag for that promising chasing debut, and he's the one to beat stepping up in trip.
Back Jus de Citron in the 16:20 Musselburgh