Downpatrick will be hoping to beat the weather as they prepare to stage their big race of the year, the Randox Ulster National, on Sunday afternoon.
The track was unraceable at the declaration stage on Friday due to waterlogging in places so if it does pass an inspection the three-and-a-half mile contest will be a real slog.
Gavin Cromwell bids for a hat-trick in the €50,000 event and Ask Anything can defy top-weight.
The progressive Ask gelding ran a cracker last time in a competitive novice handicap chase final at Navan, going down by a neck to Bushmans Pass.
Ask Anything travelled like the winner down to the final fence then but couldn’t hold the late charge of his rival in a tight finish.
There was a big gap back to the third horse that day, The Gradual Slope, who is entitled to get a bit closer now as Ask Anything received a 6lb rise for that effort.
Despite that increase, the six-year-old looks like a horse on an upward curve and this marathon trip can bring more improvement. His sire is a well known source of stamina and this will take some getting.
Outside The Door is already proven over this trip, having been second at Leopardstown early last month.
He pushed Where’s Frankie to half-a-length that day, on his return from a short break, and trainer Padraig Roche has his string in fine form at the moment.
Brampton Belle chased home Irish National winner Intense Raffles on her last outing at Fairyhouse but was beaten a long way and needs to improve on recent showings.
Ask Anything does have plenty of weight to cart but looks like the one horse in the field with the potential to improve at this trip and is fancied to come out on top.
Gordon Elliott is by far the leading trainer at the track and he can strike in the opener with Big Stage.
The Walk In The Park gelding has the hurdles experience under his belt and ran well when second at Cork last time.
Willie Mullins has just one runner on the card, Onlyamatteroftime, and he can land the two-mile-five handicap hurdle.
This is a big drop in class now for the Getaway gelding who has been competing in some of the best handicap hurdles over in England this winter since joining the champion trainer.
SELECTIONS
2.03 Big Stage (Dbl)
2.38 Onlyamatteroftime
3.13 Starman
3.48 Bonnie Kellie
4.23 Ask Anything (Nap)
4.58 Bleu D’Enfer
5.30 Dromleigh
