Identity Thief© Photo Healy Racing
Top-class hurdler Identity Thief makes his eagerly-awaited debut over fences in the beginners' chase at Punchestown on Saturday.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old made a flying start to last season, following up an impressive win at Down Royal with his first Grade One success in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
He came off second-best in an attritional battle with Nichols Canyon at Leopardstown over Christmas and was a shade disappointing when only sixth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but bounced back to chase home Vroum Vroum Mag at the Punchestown Festival.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead has always viewed his exciting charge as a future chasing prospect, but is keen not to get ahead of himself at this stage.
"He's in good form and we're hoping to run him on Saturday, subject to the ground," said the Knockeen-based trainer.
"We're delighted with him at home and it will be nice to get him going.
"At the moment we're just concentrating on trying to win his beginners (chase) and we'll take it from there."
Identity Thief is the star attraction in a nine-strong field and with Gigginstown's retained rider Bryan Cooper sidelined by injury, Grand National-winning jockey David Mullins will be on board for the first time.
Gigginstown and De Bromhead are also represented by recent Fairyhouse runner-up Attribution.
