Up-and-coming chasers Days Hotel and Roi Du Mee do battle in a fascinating renewal of the Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on Thursday.
Henry de Bromhead's Days Hotel returned from over a year on the sidelines with an impressive defeat of Realt Dubh in the Hilly Way at Cork and now steps up to two and a half miles, whereas Roi Du Mee drops back slightly in trip after completing a four-timer at the chief expense of the reopposing Tranquil Sea at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Quito De La Roque and Joncol have reputations to restore, while Oscar Time has had his issues since his second in the 2011 Grand National, and Rathlin and Foildubh appear up against it in this company.
The Fame And Glory & Sans Frontieres Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase also carries Grade Two status, and Tarla attempts to atone for a Cork fall.
Before that, though, she hammered Our Girl Salley at Clonmel, and a clear round here should see her home ahead of Cnoc Seoda and Avondhu Lady.
Her trainer Willie Mullins has opted not to run Boston Bob in the W.T. O'Grady Memorial EBF Novice Chase and instead relies on Mikael D'Haguenet.
Jumping frailties again cost the classy nine-year-old dear at Limerick over Christmas but this should provide him with a confidence-boosting springboard back to bigger targets.
Mullins is represented by impressive Clonmel victor Ballycasey in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle where fellow last-start winners Love Rory, Kilcrea and Milborough, as well as Bonisland, help make up a potentially informative contest.
The champion trainer takes the wraps off French import Djakadam in the opening www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle at 1.10, while smart chaser Rare Bob returns to action over the smaller obstacles in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle.
