Eb Back In The Flow

Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Ebaziyan is on course to return to action in Friday's Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal.

In what could prove an informative renewal of the two-mile, Grade Three event, the Cheltenham Festival victor could lock horns with a host of smart recruits.

Among the potential opposition is Edward O'Grady's Catch Me, impressive Galway Hurdle winner Farmer Brown and the Dermot Weld-trained Bobs Pride.

Of Ebaziyan, who belied relative inexperience and a big starting price to win at Cheltenham, handler Willie Mullins said: 'I think he'll run and he had a nice time out at grass this summer.'

Ebaziyan must bounce back from a disappointing run in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, but Mullins is inclined to forgive his grey that one poor showing.

'He had a little setback before Punchestown and that might have just affected him, so I'm keen to give him the benefit of the doubt,' he added.

'We've nothing in mind further on at the moment and we'll just play it as we find it this season.'

Also among the 15-strong list of entries are Noel Meade's pair Aitmatov and Orbit O'Gold, Gordon Elliott's Salford City and the promising Grangeclare Lark.

(C) PA Sport