The disappointment of Marine National missing out on Cheltenham could be put further into the rear-view mirror for the Barry Connell team today, were Espanito Bello to follow-up last year's success in the Bar One Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase (Listed).

Highlight of an eight race card at Naas which begins at 1.07, the three miler is pretty hotly contested, not surprisingly given its 100,000 Euro purse.

A defection for owner Derek Kierans and trainer Gavin Cromwell is Velvet Elvis (allergy), but that combination still harbor strong hopes with the Sean Flanagan-partnered Hartur D'arc

Connell meanwhile, is realistic about Espanito Bello's prospects, reasoning: "He won it last year but is now 8lb higher and Michael (O'Sullivan, jockey) doesn’t claim so he’s the guts of a stone higher.

“He’s in great form and ran well over a trip too short the last day and is back to his favourite Naas.

“I think he’ll get a bit of prizemoney but anything after that would be a bonus.”