For the first time since his first ever race, the Gold Cup contender Rince Ri tackles a two-mile trip when he returns to action at Naas today.
The Ted Walsh-trained horse hasn't run since winning the Ericsson last year and is at his best when faced with three miles and testing ground. He gets neither in the Poplar Square Chase but can still make his presence felt.
At eight years old, Rince Ri should now be at the peak of a career that has seen him run just 15 times in total but still win nine races.
Paddy Power rate him a 25 to 1 shot for the Gold Cup, where he looked set to be placed in 1999 only to unseat Ruby Walsh at the third last. The Ericsson has been his only start since but despite fears about the trip it would be unwise to dismiss Rince Ri's chance.
Officially he has over a stone in hand of Knife Edge, who comes here on the back of twisting a shoe when third to Killultagh Storm at Down Royal earlier this month.
Both horses clash again here and a trouble-free passage for the JP McManus-owned runner could well see Knife Edge reverse the form. However, Rince Ri is a confirmed class act who has won off a long layoff in the past and can take this on route to the Durkan Chase on December 9th.
The local Walsh stable will also have a keen interest in the beginners' chase. where Colonel Yeager begins a new career.
A top novice in 1999 when trained by Martin Lynch, the Cathal Ryan-owned horse returned from a two-year absence to win for Walsh at Gowran last April and wound up with a runner up placing to Moscow Flyer in the Shell Champion Hurdle.
It results in Colonel Yeager bringing a high hurdles rating to his new job and if translating a fraction of his former talent to fences he will be hard to beat.
Goss takes the second step on his hurdles career and can emphasise his claims as a serious Supreme Novices Hurdle candidate with another win. The McManus-owned, ex-French import was hugely impressive on his Punchestown debut.
Sun Strand will like it if the ground remains "yielding" and this confirmed stayer can continue Paul Carberry's excellent run of form in the handicap chase.
Satco Express has reportedly schooled well ahead of his hurdling debut in the opener and this double course bumper winner could well get the better of the more experienced Native Titan.
Golan faces a tough task when he bids to give Sir Michael Stoute his third success in the $2.75 million Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse tomorrow morning.
His trainer won the mile-and-a-half contest with Singspiel in 1996 and Pilsudski the following year but they were both four-year-olds whereas Golan is a year younger.
Only one three-year-old (El Condor Pasa) has won the race since 1987.
Golan, winner of the 2000 Guineas and runner-up in the Epsom Derby, will be ridden for the first time by Johnny Murtagh and will start from stall seven in a 15-runner field.
Local hope T M Opera O, trained by Ichizo Iwamoto, is likely to go off favourite as he attempts to become the first horse to win back-to-back runnings of the Japan Cup in its 21st renewal.
The five-year-old won last year's race by a neck from Meisho Doto - who renews rivalry tomorrow.
