Alderwood the Star attraction

Trainer Tom Mullins believes dual Cheltenham Festival hero Alderwood has a good opportunity to get back on the winning trail in the Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase at Punchestown on Thursday.

Winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2012 before landing the Grand Annual 12 months later, the 10-year-old has not had much racing since then, having missed the majority of last season through injury.

He was brought down when well fancied for the Galway Plate on his comeback in July, but ran a fine race to finish fourth in last month's Kerry National at Listowel to suggest he is still a force to be reckoned with.

"He seems in good form at home and we were delighted with his run in the Kerry National," said the County Kilkenny trainer.

"He looked to get the three miles well that day and I thought it was a really encouraging effort under top weight.

"This is another step forward, but he's well treated by the conditions of the race and we'll let him take his chance as long as there's no firm in the ground.

"This is another step towards hopefully going three miles with him for the rest of the season."

Gordon Elliott fires a formidable twin assault on the Grade Three contest with Roi Du Mee joined by fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned chaser Don Cossack.

Roi Du Mee won this race in 2011 and 2012 and was runner-up a year ago behind former stable companion Toner D'Oudairies.

Roi Du Mee went on to clinch Grade One glory in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal and a repeat bid could be on the cards.

Don Cossack, also a Grade One winner last season as a novice over fences, is interestingly the choice of Gigginstown's number one rider Bryan Cooper, with Paul Carberry on Roi Du Mee.

Elliott said: "Both horses are in good form and we're happy with them. They're as fit as we can get them at this stage, but both will come on for the run so we'll see what happens.

"We wouldn't mind seeing a bit of overnight rain, but it looks like it's coming.

"All being well, we could then look towards Down Royal (for both horses)."

Rubi Light has mixed at the top level over fences for a number of years and is likely to make his first appearance since February, as long as conditions are suitable.

Trainer Robbie Hennessy said: "The plan is to run as long as they get the rain.

"They are calling the ground good to firm at the moment and he certainly won't run on that.

"We have him in at Cheltenham later in the week and he might go there if he doesn't run, but we'd prefer to go to Punchestown if we can.

"He seems in good form at home. We took him to a schooling race in Dundalk last week and we were very happy with him afterwards.

"He's as fit as we can get him at home without having a run. His first run of the season is usually good, so we'd be expecting him to run well if he does take his chance."

Henry de Bromhead's Loosen My Load, a winner at Galway last month, completes the five-strong field.