Valours Minion© Photo Healy Racing
The admirable Valours Minion returns to action in the feature at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening, the Treacy's Pharmacies Handicap Chase.
The 13-year-old won his first race as an 11-year-old in 2014 on his 29th career start.
Remarkably he has since added seven more victories and won over the course and distance in May of last year.
He was last seen finishing down the field at Galway in October and embarks on yet another season now with Luke Dempsey taking the ride here. King Blue gained an overdue win at Limerick recently and is an obvious danger, while others to consider are Owennacurra Milan Westerner Point Follow The Swallow and Sarwistan
The Mulholland Bookmakers Rated Hurdle has attracted a quality field of nine with Gambling Girl and Snake Eyes the stand-out names.
The former is a Grade Three winner over timber and returns to the smaller obstacles now after failing to score on three efforts over fences.
Snake Eyes won at the Punchestown Festival last year for Nicky Henderson and has since switched to Niall Madden.
The son of Oscar has been disappointing on his last two starts but taking a drop in class now he should be able to make his presence felt. All Souls went down fighting at Limerick on his most recent start and is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Fire In Soul Definite Earl (first-time cheekpieces), and Officer Sydney are others for the shortlist.
After winning his last three Bye Bye O Bye will bid to make it four-in-a-row in the John Madden & Sons Handicap Hurdle.
Davy Russell again teams up with the Michael Griffin trained nine-year-old and have most to fear from recent course winner Mic Milano handicap debutant Spider Web and the Willie Austin-trained Highest Benefit Bringerofthedawn impressed when winning his maiden hurdle over the course last month and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the Audi Ballina Beginners Chase. Livelovelaugh and Thirsty Work look the two to focus on in the opening Tipperary Water Maiden Hurdle, while the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Miguel Angel will not have to be a star to claim the concluding Harrington Concrete Quarries Flat Race. That's A Wrap won at Punchestown in February but he disappointingly failed to follow up on his next start at Fairyhouse.
He bids to make amends now in the Sheridan Electric Handicap Hurdle and Mark Walsh takes the ride.
