Alderwood pictured on his way to victory in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013© Photo Healy Racing
Alderwood is the star attraction at Roscommon this evening with the dual Cheltenham Festival winner making his return to action in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Chase.
The 10-year-old was last seen finishing a disappointing fourth to Twinlight in a Grade Three at Naas in October and injury resulted in him missing all the big festivals.
His trainer Tom Mullins is looking forward to seeing his stable star return to action at the western venue.
He said: "He is very well, he is getting fitter and I expect him to go well. We are definitely hoping they get the rain at Roscommon that they are supposed to get.
"He's been back in now a couple of months and he seems to be 100%. Last year he got a fracture to a pastern and that ruled him out for the season.
"He is in great form and he is doing everything well, so we are expecting a good run. We'll see how this goes before making any further plans."
Just four horses will take on Alderwood with Realt Dubh appearing to be his main rival, while Theatre Mill Toostrong and Usa complete the line-up.
The Connacht National Handicap Chase takes place 30 minutes later and 16 horses have been declared for the valuable three-mile contest. Golden Kite won the race last year and will bid to retain his crown, with Jonathan Burke taking a valuable 7lb off his back. Prince Rudi and Rivage D'Or both won last time out and they are sure to have their supporters, while Forever Gold, who won over the course on his penultimate start, Down Under and Jamsie Hall are others with leading claims.
The Ladies Day At Roscommon On July 7th Beginners Chase rounds off proceedings and the 130-rated Clonbanan Lad looks the one to beat here.
The first four races on the card are Flat contests, with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden the opener.
Dermot Weld looks to have strong claims with Rousayan while Joseph O'Brien is an interesting jockey booking on the Michael Grassick-trained Texas Rock.
The Ballaghaderreen Handicap over seven furlongs looks a wide-open affair and two names standing out that bit more than the rest are top-weight Have A Nice Day and the John Geoghegan-trained The Dancing Lord, who finished a good third a Limerick on Saturday.
Nine go to post for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden and this also looks an open contest, with Henson Giorgi Apache Trooper Ceylon and the Dermot Weld-trained newcomer Massinga among the leading contenders.
The remaining contest on the card is the Budweiser Handicap and the ones to keep an eye on here are Six Silver Lane Killourney Empress Cin Cin and Pacelli Road
