Champagne Fever© Photo Healy Racing
Leading bumper horse Champagne Fever is one of seven remaining entries in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old won the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and the equivalent race at Punchestown in the spring, and scored as he liked on his hurdling debut at Cork earlier this month.
Mullins also has Midnight Oil and Zuzka in the mix for the two-mile Grade One, but the champion trainer is unlikely to have things all his own way.
Jessica Harrington's Jezki is two from two over hurdles, the Dessie Hughes-trained Minsk won easily at Punchestown last time and Ally Cascade from Noel Meade's yard completes a high-class field.
Clonbanan Lad was a smart horse in the bumper sphere and impressed on his first start over hurdles and debut for Henry de Bromhead at Punchestown.
The County Waterford handler told sportinglife.com: "He seems in really good form. He worked well this morning and we're looking forward to Sunday."
