The feature race of the first day is the Grade One Irish Gold Cup and we are taking a punt on the quirky Asterion Forlonge who is due to go close in a race like this.
The eight year old holds all the ability in the world but has failed to complete many races due to jumping errors when going well.Being a smart hurdler, winning the Grade One Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at this meeting in 2020 and then finishing fourth in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, he looks a better chaser even though he has his problems.
Last season he was very frustrating when winning on debut at Punchestown but then found his jumping to not be up to scratch and it cost him in tough events.
Towards the back end of last term he got back on track, finishing third in the Marsh Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, before again placing in a Grade One at Fairyhouse.
He rounded off the season winning a valuable handicap by 14 lengths, jumping lovely and showing just how classy he can be.
This term he has been his frustrating self, unseating his rider when going well in the Grade One John Durkan at Punchestown and then last time out when looking to have a big chance in the Grade One King George at Kempton, he fell at the last.
Showing he stays this trip very well, he is worth another go at the prices if being well since the fall.