Macs can do the business again
Jessica Harrrington's eight-year-old has had a stop-start campaign and was forced to miss Cheltenham due to a muscle problem.
But he returned to action on the flat at the Curragh 12 days ago and looked on good terms with himself.
Macs Joy, two miles on the level was hardly his cup of tea, was beaten by Slent Oscar and that should certainly have left him spot-on for this test.
Noel Meade runs three and riding arrangements clearly point to Iktitaf, who trounced Straw Bear here twelve months ago, as being the best of them.
He was desperately unlucky in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, travelling strongly in behind the leaders when falling three out.
Hardy Eustace, who ran a cracker in the Champion Hurdle to finish fourth to Sublimity, has been under a bit of a cloud of late and a watching brief seems best regarding him.
The Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle promises a smashing contest, with the likes of Aitmatov, Cuan Na Grai and Catch Me set to face the starter. Preference if for the tough Catch Me to add to Edward O'Grady's gains on Tuesday with Clopf.
The selection didn't have the ideal preparation for Cheltenham, falling in his prep race at Leopardstown, but ran a fine race nevertheless.
He finished a neck and a length and a half third behind Massini's Maguire and Tidal Bay. The form was boosted when Tidal Bay went on to score at Aintree.
The betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase is fiercely competitive, but maybe a little on Oodachee may not miss the target by too much.
Charlie Swan has his charges in good shape and Oodachee certainly performed solidly when seventh to Butler's Cabin in the Irish National at Fairyhouse.
