A maximum field of 18 goes to post for the seasonal highlight at Gowran Park this afternoon, the €80,000 Goffs Thyestes Chase. Ad Idem tops the weights in the three mile handicap, where in-form Champion trainer Willie Mullins is four-handed with On His Own Quadrillon Some Target and Ruby Walsh's mount Shakervilz
Charlie Swan believes a step back up in trip will bring out the best in Start Me Up, who has run just four times over fences.
The eight-year-old has impressed on his latest two outings, winning at Navan before plugging on to finish third at Limerick over a distance shorter than ideal.
"He'll appreciate stepping back up to three miles and he should run a very good race," said Swan.
"He beat Berties Dream and Carloswayback in a beginners chase over three miles at Navan last month and they have both won since.
"We then ran him over two miles and three (furlongs) at Limerick over Christmas and he was staying on at the finish to get third. The ground and everything looks right for him, so he should be competitive."
Swan has also declared Stephanie Kate, but as second reserve, she looks unlikely to get a run. "She has run behind some good horses and it would be nice to see her win a big one," the trainer added.
"She doesn't look like getting in tomorrow, so she'll probably go to Leopardstown on Saturday and should go there with a really good chance."
The Colm Murphy-trained Glam Gerry went up 20lb in the weights after bolting up at the track over Christmas, but Murphy is keeping his fingers crossed his charge can keep progressing.
"He was very good in Leopardstown over Christmas and he came out of the race well. He seems to have been in good form since," said Murphy.
"He's gone up a lot in the weights and that is going to anchor him down a bit, but hopefully he can still run a good race."
Peter Casey 's veteran Jack The Bus is enjoying a fine campaign, winning two of his last three starts in valuable Navan handicaps.
His owner, Seamus Murphy, is expecting another bold show saying "I'm very hopeful he goes there with a good each-way chance.
"The ground is right for him as he likes it softer and everything looks to be in his favour. He might be a 12-year-old now, but he's just a baby compared to Hello Bud, who I own in England. I seem to be making a habit of getting these senior citizens! Anyway, this fellow is in good form and hopefully he can bring home the bacon."
Champion trainer Willie Mullins' quartet also includes leading fancy On His Own, Some Target and Quadrillon. Other leading contenders include Rivage D'Or Adams Island and Tinakellylad
The first on a seven race card, which also includes the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, gets underway at 1.05pm.
