It's three years since Barry Geraghty and the Cork trainer Jimmy Mangan enjoyed a magnificent Grand National success with Monty's Pass but Conna Castle can make it another Aintree to remember for them in today's Grade Two novices hurdle.

Tommy Stack's Wanango is the other Irish hope for the two mile contest in which the Cheltenham Supreme runner-up Straw Bear is likely to be at short odds.

The JP McManus-owned horse was robbed of victory in the final strides at the festival by Noland and if Tony McCoy could ride the race again he would probably delay hitting the front as soon as he did.

Nevertheless Straw Bear ran a magnificent race and the big question now will be if that effort has taken a slight edge off him.

In contrast Conna Castle has sneaked in under the radar somewhat. But that low profile changed significantly on his last start at Naas when he put 20 easy lengths between himself and Glenfinn Captain with Alpha Royale back in third.

Geraghty was on the runner-up that day but was very keen to get back on the horse he'd won previously on at Punchestown. He has managed that, and now he must have a good chance of exposing any chinks in Straw Bear's armour.

Both Powerstation and Travino look to have a thankless task in the Grade One Sefton Novices Hurdle where they again take on the most impressive winner at the Cheltenham festival, Black Jack Ketchum.

There was a real authority and class about the way Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old kicked away from the final flight in the Brit Insurances race and this sharper track shouldn't be any impediment to a repeat display.

The National fences will be used today for the Topham where last year's winner, the Cavan-trained Cregg House, returns for another crack, and with an attractive looking weight too.

However, another at the right end of the weights is the veteran Hakim who landed the Grand Sefton over the course and distance last November. The SunAlliance winner Star de Mohaison tries to double up in the Mildmay and the French bred will have a big shout if Cheltenham hasn't taken too much out of him. If it has, Turpin Green could take advantage.

If Conna Castle can go close in the novice hurdle, it will be a pointer to Alpha Royale who gets in with 10st in the concluding handicap hurdle.

Selections

Brian O'Connor

2.00 - TURPIN GREEN

2.35 - BLACK JACK KETCHUM

3.10 - HI CLOY

3.45 - HAKIM

4.20 - CONNA CASTLE (nap)

4.55 - MODEL SON

5.30 - ALPHA ROYALE (double)