Today's Punchestown card is inevitably overshadowed by the Champion Hurdle tomorrow, but its feature, the £15,000 Juvenile Hurdle, is an interesting contest in itself.
Ireland's challenge for Cheltenham's Triumph Hurdle is slowly starting to take shape and a number of leading contenders are on display here.
The unbeaten Knife Edge tops the weights, and although he had half a length in hand of Golden Rule at Leopardstown, the Frances Crowley-trained horse now has a 3lb pull. But Knife Edge got a less than clear run that day and will be a major contender again.
There are a number of interesting newcomers, including Liam Browne's Catch The Dragon who is rated an 88 on the flat. But the solution to this may be The Ghan.
Tom Taaffe's racy individual ran second to Afarad on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown and then followed up with an ultra-smooth success in a minor race at Thurles.
Crucially, this horse thrives on testing conditions and with the suspicion growing that Afarad could be our best hope of Triumph success in March, he has the form. Certainly if The Ghan does win, there will be more than a few asking their bookmaker about Afarad's Triumph odds.
Jason Titley is a hard man to get the better of over fences and he looks to have the raw material to land two of the three steeplechases.
Manus The Man is a hurdles winner on heavy ground over this track and, although there are far more experienced types lying in wait in the Beginners Chase, this is quite a smart animal who is sure to have been well schooled by Michael Cunningham.
Magical Way is Titley's ride in the Ballymore Eustace Handicap Chase and this one also showed a liking for the track when runner-up to Rathgibbon last time out. Total Success and Pauls Run, who may prefer further, look the dangers.
The Blessington Handicap Chase sees Your Sorry Now, runner-up to Pauls Run at Fairyhouse, in with a good chance of success for Homer Scott, and Budalus is one to keep on the right side of in the bumper.
