A selection of familiar faces and smart prospects do battle in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles on Friday.
Willie Mullins is responsible for two of the 11 runners, with both Sweet My Lord and Bishopsfurze reverting from fences - the latter returns after an absence that stretches back to the Punchestown Festival in May.
Son Amix, Dancing Tornado and Becauseicouldntsee could also be using this as a stepping stone to targets over the larger obstacles, whereas Folsom Blue is only a five-year-old and still has plenty to offer at this discipline, although he will need to leave a lacklustre Naas return some way behind.
The Noel Meade-trained Ally Cascade was less than a length behind subsequent Grade Three winner Jezki on his first try at timber and that sets a high standard in the opening Cahir Maiden Hurdle at 12.35.
He bumps into an interesting recruit from the Mullins team in the shape of unbeaten three-time winner Urano, and the champion trainer takes the wraps off another French import, with Touch The Eden reappearing from 20 months on the sidelines in the Munster (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.
Annie Power arrived at the same County Carlow yard via a slightly different route - she won two bumpers for Jim Bolger before making an impressive start for Mullins at Listowel - and she nows goes jumping in the Thurles Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Her stable companion Sizing Sahara didn't do quite so well in that sphere, but he took in hot contests at Punchestown and has his sights lowered for the Liscahill INH Flat Race.
Dont Tell Pa goes for a four-timer against unexposed rivals Call Rog and Popmurphy in the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle, while recent Clonmel runner-up Short Grass attempts to confirm that superiority over fourth-placed World Citizen in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
