RACING: More valuable steeplechases have already been run this season but today's National Lottery Champion Chase at Gowran Park looks the first to have a real winter feel.
It also has a genuine winter "name" at the top of the runners and Moscow Express is likely to start a warm favourite to beat off the rising star Barrow Drive.
The novice gets a stone from Moscow Express but on the ratings still has 16lb more to find.
Moscow Express's sometimes iffy jumping can allow others in but Ruby Walsh gets on with him better than most and the horse comes here on the back of a fine win at the Curragh on Saturday.
Walsh, joint favourite with Paul Carberry for the jump jockeys title, is on the verge of his half-century of winners for the season and could also hit the mark with Whitworth Ben in the novice hurdle.
The former smart bumper horse looked as if the run at Roscommon last month would do him good but he still had too much in the tank for Jurado Express. Gli Gli's presence could make Whitworth Ben a price.
The continuing race for the flat jockeys' title can take another couple of twists this afternoon. Mick Kinane rides Some Kind Of Tiger for Aidan O'Brien in the first division of the juvenile maiden and the Storm Cat colt should make it third time lucky.
Elasouna makes her debut in the second division but the Rainbow Quest filly is extremely well bred and could come out ahead, even if France gets a run from third reserve.
Aries Lad is an intriguing newcomer in the bumper and Philip Fenton's booking looks significant too for the son of Aries Girl. The Culdee hasn't run since May but the change in the going should be ideal for the Flood runner in the nine furlong handicap.
