Hidden Cyclone© Photo Healy Racing
John 'Shark' Hanlon has gone for a change of headgear to hopefully bring about a first Grade One victory for Hidden Cyclone in the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.
First-time blinkers will replace the usual cheekpieces on the consistent 10-year-old, who suffered an injury when running a rare dull race in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
He will be competing in his ninth Grade One over hurdles and fences and would not be winning out of turn, having been second at the highest level four times in his career.
His task has been made a little easier with no Vautour in the line-up, although Willie Mullins still saddles Champagne Fever, Felix Yonger and Twinlight.
"I just don't seem to be able to find a Grade One for him to win so hopefully tomorrow will be his day," Hanlon told At The Races.
"I was never convinced Vautour was going to run as Willie himself has a rule he never runs novices out of novice company, I'd say he was just trying to keep the rest out of it.
"I've gone for blinkers to keep him concentrating on the game a bit more. Two years ago Andrew (McNamara) said when he hit the front in the Ryanair he just looked up at the crowd, it's not that he's ungenuine but in a Grade One you need everything going for you.
"If it improves him two or three lengths it all helps.
"He cut a leg at Cheltenham, we're lucky to have him back for Punchestown as when he came back in there was blood everywhere. Thankfully, there was no damage to the tendon.
"He didn't jump that day and he's usually a good jumper so I'd say he was feeling the leg. I'll ignore that run.
"He was very good at Punchestown (Tied Cottage), last year we rode him wrong in the Champion Chase and we'll be more positive tomorrow."
Mallowney has made great strides this season for Tim Doyle, winning a valuable pot at Fairyhouse and a Grade Two at Naas but he was surprisingly beaten by Twinlight in the Normans Grove last time out.
Doyle said: "I'm putting it (his last run at Fairyhouse) down to the ground as it was quite tacky and he didn't jump as well as he normally can.
"He's been in good form since and is showing plenty of sparkle, so we are hoping for the best."
One plus for Mallowney is that Davy Russell has returned from injury in time to take the ride.
Henry de Bromhead's stalwart Sizing Europe runs in the race for the sixth time, having won it twice while Flemenstar and Savello run for Tony Martin and Baily Green represents Mouse Morris.
Flying the flag for Britain is Oscar Hill, trained by David Bridgwater, an easy winner at Chepstow last time out but this represents a step up in class.
"He's got no chance of winning or maybe even of bring placed but if he can pick up some prize money we'd be delighted," said Bridgwater.
"He's not had a hard season like some of the others and he likes making the running so it was either run in this or carry 12st in the handicap on Thursday where he'd probably be fifth or sixth.
"We may as well go over and enjoy it and it would be lovely to nick sixth place.
"There are some good horses in it, but they can't all run to their best at this time of year."
