TODAY’S Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20) is a throwback to the early stages of its current sponsor’s first backing of the race, in that you have a couple of Grade 1-winning novice chasers testing their mettle off big weights in a handicap with a view to taking on the highest level later in the season.

The race had always been an intriguing contest for that. Think back to Our Vic, Exotic Dancer and Imperial Commander, who won here before going on to much bigger things. Long Run and The Giant Bolster were also beaten here before progressing on to be top class stayers.

However, the race began to resemble more of a standard handicap in the 2010s - always a good contest but lacking horses with legitimate claims to be top class - and perhaps became a microcosm of the National Hunt scene itself. All the above named horses are British-trained and with the Irish moving in to impact Cheltenham significantly more, this race has been negatively affected, as curiously it has never attracted Irish trainers in great numbers.

That trend hasn’t changed, with just two of the 14-strong field travelling across today, but for only the third time since 2011 both the Turners (introduced that year) and Brown Advisory have both been won by British-trained horses and fortunately they both take their chances today.

That is intriguing in itself but what adds more buzz to the race is that both Stage Star and The Real Whacker are bold jumping, prominent-racing, smooth travellers. The prospect of both of them taking each other down the hill is very exciting.

Stage Star, unbeaten on all of his seasonal debuts, has had this race as his target since the end of last season. He clearly loves this unique course and distance. The Real Whacker has to concede him 7lb but his Brown Advisory form continues to get better and his jumping will be utilised better back at this trip. That said, the vibes from Paddy Neville are that this race could well bring him on, ready as he is to start off.

That is an important precursor to ante-post considerations, namely the King George. Of course, both of them could come a cropper today, with both Notlongtillmay and Unexpected Party, race fit and well weighted for their rematch with Stage Star.

Navan

The Ladbrokes Troytown Chase is the highlight of the inaugural Navan Racing Festival but has a similar look to it with 15 of the 22 runners trained by Gordon Elliott.

That said, the Meath native has only won one of the previous five renewals. One potential danger to him is presented by Colm Murphy, who has a nice staying handicap chase prospect this season in Macs Charm.

“He is as ready as we can have him for his first run but saying that he has taken a run every year,” Murphy told The Irish Field. “I’m hoping for a nice run but knowing he’ll improve for it.

“We have all the big staying handicap chases like the Paddy Power in mind for him - he stays really well and we were very pleased with him at the back end of last season.”