Ex Patriot© Photo Healy Racing
Ellmarie Holden has high hopes for Ex Patriot who bids to land a decent pot at Fairyhouse on Monday after his fine effort in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Despite appearing to lose his chance when getting loose before the start, Ex Patriot ran out of his skin to take fourth place behind Defi Du Seuil.
He is now back on home soil as he goes for Grade Two honours in the Avoca Dunboyne Juvenile Hurdle.
"He ran a cracker in Cheltenham after getting loose before the start and has been in very good form since," said Holden.
"He has good form in Fairyhouse and seems to be flying at home, so fingers crossed he shouldn't be too far away.
"With him and Abolitionist (Irish Grand National) both running on the same day the pressure is on, but we're looking forward to it."
Among Ex Patriot's rivals is his old adversary Dinaria Des Obeaux Godon Elliott's filly was well beaten in the Triumph but had earlier been awarded victory in the stewards' room in the Grade Three Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
Ex Patriot passed the post first by a nose, but the stewards felt there had been enough interference to hand Dinaria Des Obeaux the prize.
John Quinn is expecting a big run from Project Bluebook who also ran a tremendous race at the Cheltenham Festival when fourth to Flying Tiger in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
"We're very pleased with him. He's in very good form and we expect a good run from him," said the North Yorkshire handler.
"He ran well at Cheltenham and the drying ground will suit him, I hope it stays dry." Hidden Cyclone may be 12 but he shows no sign of waning and finally makes his first appearance at Fairyhouse when he takes on former Champion Hurdle hero Jezki in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle.
"He's in great form. We're taking on Jezki which is a big task. We're wrong at the weights, but hopefully we won't be far away," said trainer Shark Hanlon.
"He's not run at Fairyhouse before, but he's the same old horse and is consistent every day he runs so basically we're happy with him.
"At the minute he doesn't seem to be going backwards."
The Grade Two Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle is a match between Ireland's top two trainers with Elliott saddling five of the seven runners - Sutton Place, Tombstone De Plotting Shed Lieutenant Colonel and Tagliatelle - and Willie Mullins supplying the other two, Renneti and Whiteout
