MARITO has emerged as a really interesting contender for the top hunter chases now this spring. Easy winner of his two point-to-points in the autumn, Colin McBratney’s horse was a ready winner of the hunters’ chase at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day.

That Down Royal race can be a big pointer to the spring. On The Fringe finished second to Oscar Barton in the race last season before Enda Bolger’s horse went on and won the Foxhunter at Cheltenham and at Aintree under Nina Carberry.