Angus McNae's Racing Tips: Star to Shine in Old Roan

Stage Star has a good record fresh, having won on his seasonal reappearance on all four of his previous campaigns. 

He is a classy individual who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season before finishing fifth in the Ryanair Chase. 

At his best when able to dominate from the front and the pace set-up here looks likely to favour him. 

There has been plenty said about the form of the Paul Nicholls yard, but stable form rarely worries me.

I think he has a great chance here to kickstart the season. 

This free-going sort found his stamina stretched when second in the Ulster National and the cut back in distance to two and three-quarter miles looks to be ideal for him. 

His two career wins have come over two and a half miles where he can utilise his pace. 

He generally jumps well and is open to improvement given that he is lightly raced, having had just five starts over fences.  

Trainer Gavin Cromwell is in good form and he can have another winner with Ask Anything. 

The Skelton team are in fine form and can win this with the progressive Sunray Shadow. 

He won a bumper at Warwick in May where his inexperience nearly cost him victory and then at the same track made a promising start to his hurdling career when finishing third to Strong Foundations. 

He was held-up that day and the first two got first run on him, but he ran on strongly in the closing stages. 

He can take a big step forward here and continue the fine form of the yard. 

Duke Silver has been a work in progress for the Willie Mullins team and now that Paul Townend gets on board for the first time he can improve and win for the first time. 

This is just his third start in a handicap and on his latest start he would have won had he jumped better. 

He races off a lowly mark of 97 and can register his first success before going on to better things.