Mounthenry can prove too classy for rivals
He has been mixing it with some of the best in the country and should carry far too many guns for this opposition.
The six-year-old was beaten a neck at Punchestown last month by Blueberry Boy, who subsequently ran well at Leopardstown, but got the contest in the stewards' room, only to lose it again on appeal.
That was a decent enough performance and the selection clearly holds, arguably, his main danger now, Beautiful Vision, who was a place and six lengths behind him at Punchestown. The pair renew rivalry on the same terms.
Previously, Charles Byrnes' charge was far from disgraced in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, finishing third to Iktitaf and O'Muircheartaigh.
Dermot Weld's Proper Article is the nap choice in the opening Hackett's Ireland's Largest Independent Bookmakers' Maiden Hurdle.
A moderate performer on the level, he made a highly promising start over jumps at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Proper Article was prominent for much of the journey, before fading into fourth spot, beaten ten and a half lengths, behind Vox Populi. The form was boosted when fifth placed Quatre Heures scored easily at Naas on Sunday.
Gerry O'Neill's Lodge Princess is the one they all have to beat in the Hackett's Bookmakers' EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
She ran on to real effect when third over flights at Cork and then made no mistake in a Limerick bumper last time.
Eric McNamara's Good Thyne Jack may be capable of completing a hat-trick in the Live 95 FM Handicap Hurdle.
He scored with plenty in hand twice at the Limerick Festival at Christmas and a 12lbs rise in the weights doesn't appear overly harsh!
