Lucky William © Photo Healy Racing
Tom Cooper's Grade One winner Lucky William is the only Irish-trained entry in Saturday's Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Back in April 2012 Lucky William looked to have a big future when he beat Blackstairmountain at the Punchestown Festival.
It was over two years until he was seen again in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary in July, when he was last of eight.
He was an early faller back over fences at Gowran in a race won by Sizing Europe and it will be fascinating to see how much ability he retains.
Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste is one of 19 high-class possibles for the race.
David Pipe's grey was narrowly beaten by Silviniaco Conti in the Betfred Bowl on Merseyside after Cheltenham has the option of starting his season in this or the Charlie Hall at Wetherby a week later.
Nicky Henderson's Rajdhani Express was third behind Dynaste in the Ryanair and may reoppose.
There are several old favourites entered, with the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking and Sue Smith's Mr Moonshine engaged.
Tom George's Module is top-class on his day and Alan King's Uxizandre, second to Taquin Du Seuil at the Cheltenham Festival, adds further strength.
A couple of horses are due to make their first appearance for new yards, with Emma Lavelle now training Edgardo Sol and Charlie Mann trying to coax a win out of Cedre Bleu.
Both of those used to be trained by Paul Nicholls and the champion trainer has entered Rolling Aces.
Astracad, Bold Sir Brian and Fifth Of Clyde are others to add to the mix.
Pipe confirmed the Old Roan and Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase were the two options as Dynaste's first run of the new campaign.
"This could be the starting point for our Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste this season," he told www.davidpipe.com.
"He has been ready to go for a while and could have run in France a couple of weeks ago but the ground really did look extremely testing.
"He has done nothing but please me at home and while this would be no straightforward task from a handicap mark of 167, it would be a good preparation for the Betfair Chase at Haydock which is his main early-season target, although the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby is another viable opening option."
