Make Time for O'Neill ace

Can’t Buy Time leads the charge for Jonjo O’Neill in the National Hunt Chase - a race the trainer has plundered four times in the last seven years.

In the colours of high-rolling owner JP McManus and ridden by master amateur JT McNamara, the up-and-coming gelding collected his fourth victory in five starts this season in ominous style at Sandown in January.

Can’t Buy Time will break new ground by stepping up in distance for the ’four-miler’, a famous old race now in its 139th year.

O’Neill also has Wichita Lineman – a runner on Tuesday – declared as well as likely outsider Carnival Town.

Of Can’t Buy Time, McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He came out of Sandown very well and is in great form but of course this is a new trip so we are hoping for the best.”

Niche Market was a distant fourth behind Madison Du Berlais and Denman in the Levy Board Chase at Kempton last time but ran on to fill the same position in this very race last year.

Trainer Bob Buckler explained: “Taking on Madison Du Berlais and the like will have done him no harm at all and he needed a run to put him right for this. The race has been the target for quite some time and we are hopeful of a big run.”

Nine De Sivola fell when still going well in the event two years ago won by Butler’s Cabin and trainer Ferdy Murphy has interestingly chosen to employ the services of top lady rider Rose Dobbin.

Plenty of other talented amateurs will be in evidence, with Nina Carberry on board Parsons Pistol for Noel Meade while brothers Tom and Oliver Greenall ride Borero and Le Beau Bai respectively.