BEN Haslam has enjoyed a great season with horses in the famous green and gold colours of J P McManus – including with dual winner Rock On Fruity.

The 10-year-old, previously been trained by Charles Byrnes in Ireland, has thrived on the switch to Haslam’s Middleham yard – but he has to prove his stamina.

“He’s got plenty of speed – he’s won over two and a half,” said Haslam.

“It’s a question of getting him switched off and settled. I thought he jumped well round there the last day.

If he gets into a rhythm and stays, I think he will be competitive.

“He’s got some very good form in Ireland. He was placed in a Grade 3. I’m not saying he’s improved, because he is yes. He always has had that kind of ability.

“It’s probably the fact in England, especially up here in the north, if a horse can get a bit of confidence they have got more chance of getting back on track.

“The change of scenery may well have helped, but at the same time I think he’s just been able to get his confidence back.”

IRISH RUNNERS

There are two Irish-trained runners, Gavin Cromwell’s 14-year-old Raz De Maree, last season’s Welsh National winner who was fifth when bidding for a repeat last time out, and Shark Hanlon’s Kilkishen.

“He’ll love the trip, the ground won’t be a bother to him – and I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on,” said Hanlon.

“Danny Mullins is going over to ride him – and he wasn’t beaten too far at Punchestown, considering he got left at the start at bit.

“I like the way he did it at Fairyhouse before then, and this has been the target since.

“I couldn’t be happier.”