Willie Mullins has decided to stay on home soil for the time being with Ballycasey and he reappears in Gowran Park's Race That Stops A County 'Thyestes Jan 22nd 2015' Chase.
The grey appeared to have the chasing world at his feet after winning the Dr PJ Moriarty but he was only fourth in the RSA, fell at Fairyhouse and then occupied the runner-up berth at the Punchestown Festival.
He had the option of the Amlin Chase at Ascot, but instead takes on classy second-season chasers Moscow Mannon and Mallowney over two and a half miles in testing ground, which might prove his optimum conditions.
Mullins starts Don Poli off over the bigger obstacles in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
Successful in the conditionals' event at Cheltenham, he then made Beat All pull out all the stops in a Punchestown Grade One and is expected to prove just as competent in this sphere.
On what could be a profitable day for the champion trainer he takes the wraps off & pound;290,000 winning pointer Tell Us More in the www.gowranpark.ie Maiden Hurdle and French import Douvan, who takes on solid yardsticks Alpha Des Obeaux and Henry Higgins in a potentially informative Santa Train At Gowran Park Novice Hurdle.
The action gets under way at 12.30 with the Santa Train Bookings At www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, in which Prussian Eagle and Lady Clitico lock horns again after taking minor honours at Navan recently.
Lethal Weapon was put in his place by Hurricane Fly and Jezki in last weekend's Morgiana Hurdle and is set a much more realistic assignment back over the larger obstacles in the Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Chase, while last-start winners Circe's Island and Kindly Vinnie take in the Gowran Park Racing Club Membership 2015 For 100 Euro Mares Handicap Hurdle on the back of breaks.
