Irish raiders
His sole defeat under national hunt rules came in the bumper at this track last season, when he never really travelled.
He has won in testing conditions but would have been better suited by good ground but, as long as his hurdling holds up — he jumped poorly out of desperate ground at Fairyhouse — he should run a huge race.
Willie Mullins’ Un Atout is inexperienced and faces a big step up in grade but he has been very impressive. The limit of his powers is unknown and he could be anything.
His stable companion, Champagne Fever, won the `Champion Bumper at this meeting in 2012, and he looks sure to make this a proper test.
He appears to have overcome his mid-season blip and, given that he stays further, he should be on the pace from the outset.
Gordon Elliott’s Cause Of Causes must bounce back from a disappointing display behind My Tent Or Yours but his wealth of experience in tough handicaps will aid him.
Pique Sous needs to improve to figure at the business end.
Best of the Irish: Jezki
Next best: Un Atout
Arvika Ligeonniere suffered his first defeat over fences when falling four out in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last time. It’s a concern that he jumped out to his right en route to victory at the same track at Christmas, but he has scope for further improvement and is likely to make a bold bid.
Baily Green ran up a sequence of seven wins between May and November of last year but has been beaten on his two most recent outings.
He has something to find with Arvika Ligeonniere on their Racing Post Novice Chase form from Leopardstown, but trainer Mouse Morris is hopeful of a good effort.
Best of the Irish: Arvika Ligeonniere
A typically competitive Festival handicap chase, with Dessie Hughes’ White Star Line the more likely of our two raiders.
He remains a maiden over fences but he finished runner-up to Hunt Ball in a novice chase at this meeting in 2012 and looks quite well treated here.
Paul Gilligan’s Jadanli is 14lbs higher than when winning the Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January and may need to improve again to cope with the rise.
Best of the Irish: White Star Line
We have only one entry in this race but it’s a big one — favourite and former champion Hurricane Fly.
Now a nine-year-old, the 2011 winner is bidding to become the first horse since Comedy Of Errors in 1975 to regain the Champion Hurdle crown.
He appears to have recovered the zest he showed that season and could hardly have been more impressive when winning the Irish Champion Hurdle on his most recent outing.
But quite what sort of form those behind him were in is up for debate and this is the acid test — the moment when the true worth of the form is discovered.
Irish Examiner columnist and jockey Ruby Walsh is confident he’s back to his best, and he’s best placed to know.
Best of the Irish: Hurricane Fly
Irish raiders had a stranglehold on this race until last year when Balthazar King ruined their perfect record by keeping it at home for the first time since its introduction in 2005.
Willie Mullins’ Uncle Junior has won twice over the course and distance but each time he was favoured by the conditions.
This time, however, he must give a minimum of 10lbs to his rivals and that could scupper his chances.
Probably the best handicapped of the Irish runners is Arabella Boy, trained by Enda Bolger. The eight-year-old unseated Nina Carberry at this track in December but has winning form in cross-country chases at Punchestown.
He has a nice weight here and his trainer, who has won the race four times, is sure to have him primed for success. A big run looks assured.
John Halley’s Outlaw Pete was a winner over course and distance in December and the ground will play to his strengths.
Warmed up with an eye-catching effort in Thurles and should go well but others are better handicapped.
A New Story won this in 2010 and was beaten just a head last year, despite being in his 15th year. Twelve more months on his back will not help but he has been placed in the race four times and hasn’t been performing all that badly recently. Surely find a few too sprightly, though.
Sizing Australia, former RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel, Saddlers Storm, Freneys Well, Big Shu and Shakervilz make up a very strong Irish challenge.
Best of the Irish: Arabella Boy
Next best: Outlaw Pete
This race revolves around four-time winner Quevega, bidding to become the first horse since Golden Miller to win the same race at the Festival five times.
We don’t get to see her very often but Willie Mullins’ mare is reportedly in great shape and connections are even optimistic that the nine-year-old is still on the up.
She is versatile in terms of ground and travels very well through her races. If at her best, it’ll take a huge performance to lower her colours.
Gordon Elliott’s Mae’s Choice won two Grade 3 hurdles last season but she hasn’t found that sort of form this term.
She’ll handle the ground, but needs to resume her progress of last season.
Peter Fahey’s Shop DJ was just five lengths behind Quevega in this race last year but she has improvement to find if she’s to reverse that form.
Best of the Irish: Quevega
Gordon Elliott’s Carlito Brigante won the Coral Cup at this meeting in 2011 and he also has winning form over fences at this track.
Always held in very high regard, he is rated much lower over fences than hurdles, suggesting there is scope for improvement. Has the ability to compete in this very tight handicap but ground conditions won’t play to his strengths.
Klepht’s sole victory came on good ground in a beginners’ chase, but he has not been disgraced on testing ground in good company over fences.
The lightly raced eight-year-old was not beaten that far when fifth of six behind Boston Bob in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty at Leopardstown last time out and he mightn’t be that badly treated off 139. He could go well at a big price.
Best of the Irish: Klepht
