John Ryan (left) pictured with Kylecrue© Photo Healy Racing
John Ryan is expecting a big run from Kylecrue in Sunday's Coral.ie Leopardstown Handicap Chase.
Last seen finishing a gallant third in the Munster National at Limerick, he has been given plenty of time to freshen up.
Ryan fares well with his small string, taking on the might of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, and despite the two powerhouses being responsible for 11 of the field between them, he believes Kylecrue is capable of putting it up to them.
"We gave him a nice break after Limerick as that was a gruelling race," said Ryan.
"We had other horses to run during the winter so we could leave him off and let him recover.
"He's better fresh anyway, but he's a proper horse, he ran a cracker at Limerick.
"He's definitely better going left-handed so that will suit him, and while he's getting on a bit, he's not like most 10-year-olds.
"He's not very big so wasn't broken in until he was five and then he won a point-to-point at six, he's got far less miles on the clock than most at his age.
"I'm hoping he'll go very close, I'm expecting him to.
"As he doesn't like deep ground, we planned to give him a break so it's a real bonus to be racing on ground that isn't heavy at this time of year.
"He's got a nice racing weight and while there looks to be some well-handicapped novices, he'll make them go a bit."
Elliott has been farming the big handicaps this season and landed another last week, the Dan Moore with Ball D'Arc.
He fields the top-weight Clarcam, the lightly-raced Vukovar and the favourite A Toi Phil, unplaced in Grade Ones the last twice.
Stellar Notion runs for Henry de Bromhead, Total Recall represents Sandra Hughes and Bentelimar goes for Shay Barry.
Ruby Walsh has picked Rolly Baby of Mullins' quartet and his son, Patrick, thinks that could be significant.
"Ruby has gone for Rolly Baby. He carries 10st 3lb, which is a good racing weight and Ruby wouldn't ride that light too often," said Mullins jnr.
"He jumped fantastic in the Paddy Power Chase, but was a little bit keen and probably didn't get home, so we're dropping back in trip.
"Even though he's quite an old horse, he's relatively unexposed and off that weight he must have a big chance.
"New Kid In Town has 9st 10lb and Rachael Blackmore, who is the leading conditional over here at the moment, takes off another 5lb.
"He probably wasn't getting home in the Paddy Power either, so coming back in trip with an in-form jockey on his back, he could run well.
"Tennis Cap and The Paparrazi Kid both have plenty of weight and if they can pick up a share of the prize-money we'll be happy."
Apache Jack, a classy novice hurdler in 2013-14, runs in the three-mile handicap hurdle, while Toe The Line is an interesting runner in the mares' maiden hurdle.
Smart on the level, she is without a win in three recent spins over hurdles but has not been disgraced.
