Easysland moved to Jonjo O'Neill

The son of Gentlewave was winning his seventh straight race when romping up the hill to inflict a rare Festival defeat on dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, the winning margin being officially 17 lengths. At the time he was in the care of David Cottin in France.

Now eight years of age, he has been beaten in both starts since that Festival success two years ago, at the November 2020 meeting at Prestbury Park, as well as when Tiger Roll turned the tables with an 18 length victory in last year's Cross Country Chase reneweal.

Easysland suffered the injury while on a break last summer at his owner JP McManus' Martinstown Stud in County Limerick and has recently moved to O'Neill's base at Jackdaws Castle.

"He hasn't been in France since he ran last. He's gone over to Jonjo's from Martinstown. He's got good facilities and hopefully, if he can keep him sound, he'll get to the cross country," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

"We'll try to get a race into him before Cheltenham if it's possible. He's only been over at Jonjo's a couple of weeks.

"He had plenty of issues, but he's sound now and it's a case of keeping him sound. Hopefully he'll get there with a bit of luck."

The McManus team are awaiting the arrival of another French import Prengarde, who has been bought out of Guillaume Macaire and Hector de Lageneste's yard to join Enda Bolger in Co. Limerick.

The six-year-old has been quoted as low as 4-1 for the cross country at the Festival but as yet connections have not mapped out a programme.

"I can't tell you much about him. He'll be on his way from France and is going to Enda Bolger, but I can't say what the plans are because we haven't got him on board yet," said Berry.

"We are waiting for him, and he's only turned six, so we have no plans at the minute. We will see how he settles in and how everything goes."

Prengarde has won his last five races over fences, all at Compiegne, culminating in a Listed contest on his latest start in November.