RACING:THE €46,500 first prize for this evening's chase feature at Punchestown would have been useful to Michael O'Leary in his battle with JP McManus for the owners title but it can be a case of better late than never for Crash.

The €75,000 Aon Handicap Chase is part of a rearranged card of races saved from the weather-ravaged festival and provides an unexpected midweek highlight for National Hunt fans at the Co Kildare track.

O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team eventually lost out to McManus in last season’s championship but both of Irish racing’s most powerful owners are well represented on today’s near €200,000 card.

Quite a number of Graded race performers line up for the big handicap where some of them will be more able to cope with possible soft ground conditions than others.

The RSA third, Call The Police, brings a touch of class to the race but likes decent going which may not be available with the unsettled weather forecast while the festival winner Foildubh has to concede weight all-round.

Crash was a disappointment on his previous start at Limerick but that was on good ground and some of his previous efforts on softer going give him a shout in this.

Frisco Depot brings a touch of class to the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase but has to concede two stone to Mister Farmer and that looks a big ask against a horse that won by a comfortable dozen lengths on his previous start at Fairyhouse and has winning course form.

JP McManus has four of the 10 runners in the other handicap chase and the best of the lot could be the bottom-weight Senior Again, who was attempting a big task on his last start when third to the subsequent Grade One winner Lucky William at Fairyhouse.

Neither Slieveardagh or False Economy will relish soft ground in the conditions chase and in the circumstances Lambro looks a better option on the best of his novice form behind Flemenstar and Last Instalment.