In-form Chicago Vic gets the nod
Realistically this is actually a three-horse affair, however, with the selection, Red Square Lady and Athlumney Lad far superior to the other three.
Chicago Vic never took to fences and returning to flights was the intelligent option. Eric McNamara's mare comes here in rude helath, having produced two excellent displays of late.
She was runner-up behind Brogella at the Punchestown Festival and was then impressive when scoring at Listowel 11 days ago.
That two miles trip was very much on the short side but she made light of it, powering clear in the closing stages to beat Hardwick by nine lengths.
Red Square Lady has 5lbs in hand of Chicago Vic and indicated she is currently in good shape when finishing a close third on the flat at Ballinrobe.
Athlumney Lad could beat both, if in the mood, and was a creditable fourth on the level behind Emmpat at Roscommon on Sunday.
Chicago Vic, though, seems in cracking form right now and gets the nap.
It appears reasonably safe to narrow down the Generali Novice Chase to More Rainbows and Sorry Al.
More Rainbows turned in a solid jumping performance, something he hadn't done previously, when beating Kit Carson a length at Roscommon on Sunday, while Sorry Al got off the mark over fences in a moderate event at Kilbeggan.
Preference is for More Rainbows, who was a lot better timber-topper than his main opponent.
Yarra Maguire, who would have scored at Listowel but for parting company with Niall Madden at the last, has every chance of setting the record straight in the Meath Farm Machinery Colt 45 Handicap Hurdle. He is allowed compete here generously, perhaps, off the same mark.
