Bishopsfurze topweight in Thyestes

Bishopsfurze, favourite for the Goffs Thyestes Chase
(Healy Racing Photos)

Ruby Walsh takes the mount on the eight-year-old, while Mullins’ other entries Call The Police, Shakervilz and Sweet My Lord were all taken out at the declaration stage. Other significant absentees are Tofino Bay, Whodoyouthink and Sweeney Tunes.

Mullins expects Bishopsfurze to revel in the heavy conditions, but is less confident about having to give weight all round after the weights went up by 9lb.

"He'll love the ground but he's got a lot of weight. It's going to be a tough task with that amount of weight," he said.

Colin McBratney has had this race in mind for Sole Witness since landing a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Navan in mid-December and said, "He won nicely in Navan. The plan was to go here after then and we're very happy with him.

"He'll love the ground and the distance shouldn't be a problem. The weights have gone up a bit which is a bit of an inconvenience, but Ben Dalton takes 5lb off him. He knows him well which will help things.

"He won with 11st 6lb the last time so he can cope with it OK."

The Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle sees a mouth-watering match between Bog Warrior and Zaidpour, while Chicago Grey and Un Beau Matin are also among the five-runner line-up.

The first on a seven-race card gets underway at 1.25pm, with the “Thyestes” due to go to post at 3.25pm.

Paddy Power Thyestes Chase betting:

5/1 Bishopsfurze, 8/1 Panther Claw, 9/1 Tullintain, The Westener Boy, 10/1 Outlaw Pete, Glenquest, Sole Witness, Son Amix, 12/1 In Great Form, 14/1 Bar.