Trainer - Willie Mullins
Jockey - Paul Townend
Arrives back in Ireland after a couple of visits to Auteuil in France, where a second place performance flattered certainly him, having finished sixteen lengths behind the winner.
He then recovered well and won a Grade 2, but has it all to prove against top opposition now back in his trainers' homeland, when last seen finishing down the field behind Faugheen in the Champion Stayers at Punchestown.
Trainer - Gordon Elliott
Jockey - Rachael Blackmore
Gordon Elliott has four in the race, which are headed by Dortmund Park, who is a course and distance winner at Fairyhouse.
He finished well behind Apples Jade on his reappearance at Navan in his first start outside novice company earlier this month, so ground to make up there.
If he can rediscover the spark that led him to winning to Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown at the back end of last season, he will surely be in with a chance.
Trainer - Joseph O'Brien
Jockey - Mark Walsh
Well beaten when last on the race scene at Punchestown back in April, when not backing up his fine third in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.
That was a career best effort, and will need to re-find that form which has been hard to comeby.
Has proved frustrating and just not quite on the level of other better horses around.
Trainer - Willie Mullins
Jockey - David Mullins
No win in the last 18 months, when that came in a Grade 2 at Auteuil in France, beating L'Ami Serge which is good form in itself.
Ran there most recently, when finishing down the field behind Bapaume, suggesting that his better days are surely behind him now. Others from the yard preferred, letalone the rest of the field.
Trainer - Jessica Harrington
Jockey - Robbie Power
Aside from Early Doors, Supasundae is the only horse in the race not trained by Gordon Elliott or Willie Mullins, but will be a serious threat.
She skipped the Morgiana a couple of Sunday's ago over fears on the ground, but looks to set to make his first start here since his impressive success in an action-packed Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Key player.
Trainer - Gordon Elliott
Jockey - Barry Geraghty
Success in these colours for Barry Geraghty at Newbury on Friday with Unowhatimeanharry, which could extend with the Fighting Fifth aboard Buveur D'Air at Newcastle on Saturday.
Geraghty now rides for Elliott in a rare JP McManus runner for him - with Sutton Place; who when completing a race, has incredibly never been beaten. However, two of his last three starts he has been pulled up, and now switches back to hurdles.
Best to watch this one.
Trainer - Willie Mullins
Jockey - P W Mullins
The old boy still giving his all, could not land a blow in the Morgiana Hurdle to Sharjah and co.
Three easy wins on the flat over the summer - all won at long odds, were used to boost his confidence, but now back in the deep end, he seems to be struggling once again.
Not for us.
Trainer - Gordon Elliott
Jockey - Davy Russell
Good season last year, rounded off with the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Sticks to timber again this season, and is very lightly raced, with hopefully more development to come.
Solid each way claims.
Trainer - Gordon Elliott
Jockey - Jack Kennedy
Regular rider Jack Kennedy is back from suspension in time to partner his mare, bidding for a third success in this race.
She is already a short price for this Grade 1, as she begins her quest potentially back towards the Mares Hurdle at the Festival where she certainly has unfinished business. The door is also open for the Stayers, but connections realise there is a job to do here first.
Won well on reappearance in Lismullen Hurdle, and should prevail here once again.
Trainer - Willie Mullins
Jockey - Ruby Walsh
Last seen over hurdles when finishing third to Apples Jade in last year's Mares Hurdle.
Been campaigned on the flat since, with a number of good efforts, including a win at Leopardstown in a valuable handicap.
Interesting to see how she comes back to timber, but sure to make a bold challenge if back to her best.
