The big hurdle may be the only Grade One race at Leopardstown this afternoon, but there's a definite Grade One horse returning to action in the Beginners Chase as Nicanor has his first start in 20 months.
Noel Meade's horse is already as low as 16 to 1 for the SunAlliance at Cheltenham, even though today's race will be his first over fences.
The bookmakers' caution is hardly surprising considering Nicanor's last trip to the festival yielded a famous, two-and-a-half-length defeat of Denman in the SunAlliance Hurdle.
After that he added to his Grade One haul at Punchestown, but Nicanor has been on the sidelines since.
Meade bypassed Wednesday's Durkan Novice Chase because Paul Carberry wasn't available to ride. But today's option is hardly easy, as former County Hurdle winner Pedrobob is joined in the opposition by the highly-rated Big Zeb and the JP McManus-owned Wins Now.
The latter is particularly interesting with Tony McCoy on board and boasting decent form at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season.
Big Zeb's stable companion Kimberlite King has a first start over jumps in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle, and while initial reaction to his short-head defeat of Rocco's Hall at Galway in October might have been low-key, the form doesn't look too shabby now after Rocco's Hall's defeat of Oscar Looby here on Thursday.
Kimberlite King's other bumper start yielded an impressive defeat of good horses in Woodbine Willie and Your Sum Man, and Colm Murphy's horse can maintain his unbeaten record.
Grangeclare Lark enjoyed a fine 2006-07 season when she won at Punchestown and Fairyhouse, as well as landing the Listed mares hurdle at this meeting.
Dessie Hughes's six-year-old is back for another crack at the €42,500 event, and even allowing for the fact she has to concede weight to all bar one horse, she comes here on the back of a decent run on the all-weather at Dundalk earlier in the month.
Willie Mullins's four-year-old Jayo is the highest-rated in the two-mile conditions hurdle and will be fancied to follow up a good win over stable companion Deutschland at Fairyhouse on his last start.
The leading two-mile chaser Gemini Lucy is an interesting opponent, but this looks a fine opportunity for the horse named after the Dublin GAA player Jason Sherlock.
Well Run has a 4lb penalty for winning by 10 lengths at Navan last weekend and will be a leading fancy in the opening Opportunity Handicap Chase, although Forest Leaves will be a threat based on a good third to Dante Hall at Fairyhouse.
Lord Over has had an interrupted career but showed he retains plenty of ability when runner-up to Corskeagh Royale in a Grade Two bumper at Navan earlier in the month.
Pat Flynn's runner has 12st in the last today but can be a major player.
