Noel Meade holds a strong hand as he fires a couple of darts at the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Steeplechase over three miles in Navan today.

The 139-rated Minella Fair is currently disputing favouritism on the back of a third place in the Grade A Goffs Thyestes Handicap Steeplechase at Gowran Park last month.

Meade said: “Minella Fair will love the ground. The heavier it is the better and he stays very well.

“If he repeats his run from the last day in the Thyestes, then he’d have a great chance. We always loved him and he has to have real heavy ground.

“First Approach also loves a trip. They are for the same owner (Mrs Patricia Hunt) but there is nothing really to run him in and it seemed like the right race to go for.

“Both of them are entered in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and they could end up going there.”

The lightly-raced Speak Easy is prominent in the betting for Joseph O'Brien. On his last appearance in a Grade 3 at Punchestown in January, he fell at the final fence when making no impression on the odds-on winner.

Dermot McLoughlin 's Captain Cj will be on many shortlists after a runner-up finish over course and distance last month.

Indeed, he has been placed in four beginners' chases behind some more than useful sorts.