The Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse looked the best trial for this with The Midnight Club beating stablemate Arbor Supreme with Oscar Time third, Vic Venturi fourth and Bluesea Cracker sixth.

The latter won the Irish National last April from Oscar Time but it's Sam Waley-Cohen's mount who looks the best of the Bobbyjo quintet this time.

He's been specifically trained for this as has BACKSTAGE, who is taken to complete a famous double for Gordon Elliott, successful in 2007 with Silver Birch.

Paul Carberry's mount was going well when impeded and unseating him at the 20th a year ago and his trainer has planned an unusual campaign that has seen him win two point-to-points.

Becauseicouldntsee, runner-up in the National Hunt Chase last year, would have been the selection here but for sustaining an injury at Leopardstown in December as he looks just the type for this.

Maybe next year, a remark that also applies to the novice Quinz, winner of the Racing Post Chase.

Last year's hero Don't Push It has had his season geared for a follow-up and he's no forlorn hope despite his weight while Gold Cup fourth What A Friend brings a touch of quality to the race and is very well handicapped.

Silver By Nature is the best handicapped in the race on current ratings and has an outstanding chance after his Haydock success while Nicky Richards is delighted that Skippers Brig has sneaked in at the bottom of the handicap as he's an excellent jumper who should get round.

He had Ballabriggs behind when scoring at Kelso last time but the race was run at a crawl and the runner-up, who is in the expert hands of Donald McCain and jumps very well, should make a bold bid to gain the yard's fifth success in the great race.

Yorkshire hasn't won this for over 60 years but Big Fella Thanks and Character Building are not without chances and Alan King is sweet on West End Rocker, who found Haydock's ground much too testing last time.

In a race where so many have had their season's geared solely to the event, Backstage gets the vote from Ballabriggs with Becauseicouldntsee the best outsider.