Previews: Spot Thedifference looked to be back to his best when winning at Cheltenham last month and could take all the beating back at his favourite venue in the cross-country Handicap Chase today.
The game 13-year-old lacks the pace to be effective over conventional fences but has been a revelation in this type of race and boasts five wins from seven starts over course and distance.
The Enda Bolger-trained gelding won this prize in 2004 but flopped behind Ivoire De Beaulieu a year later.
However, he reversed that form emphatically last time out, after which his owner stated he was getting better with age.
Most of his usual rivals in this sphere are absent from the line-up this time, and although he concedes plenty of weight, Spot Thedifference should still be too good with conditions to his liking.
Kicks For Free should take all the beating in the 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
After catching the eye with some smart bumper form last term, Paul Nicholls's charge showed a real aptitude for the hurdling game when opening his career over obstacles with two easy victories last month.
His trainer has said he wants to take the same path with him as stablemate Noland, who won this race last year en route to landing the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, a race the Flemensfirth gelding is now favourite for.
Willie Musson's stable has been in sparkling form in recent weeks and boasts a fine strike-rate at Wolverhampton this year.
With this in mind, his only runner at Dunstall Park, Your Amount, looks to have every chance in the Exchange Apprentice Handicap.
After failing to sparkle this summer, he relished the return to the all-weather when scoring in good style over course and distance just over three weeks ago.
The three-year-old was tackling his longest trip to date that day and it was clearly to his liking as he stayed on strongly to leave no doubts over his stamina at this distance.
A 3lb rise in the handicap does not appear too harsh, as he shaped like there should be more to come, while the drop in grade inspires further confidence in his bid to stage a follow-up.
• The Navan meeting scheduled for tomorrow is subject to a 7.30am inspection today. There is slight concern about parts of the chase track.
No inspections are planned for Sunday's meetings at Punchestown and Cork.
