Dromore Lad © Photo Healy Racing
Dromore Lad bids for a fifth win in six outings when contesting the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.
A qualifier for the final of this series at the Cheltenham Festival, the three-miler has attracted a decent field and it will not be easy for the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Dromore Lad to defy the handicapper once more.
That said, regular partner Danny Hand again claims 7lb to ensure the in-form chestnut competes off a workable racing weight.
Given owner Philip Reynolds and trainer Pat Kelly have been responsible for the last two winners of the Pertemps Final, many eyes will focus on their representative Eagle Lion
Like Mall Dini in 2016 and Presenting Percy last year, Eagle Lion will have the assistance of Davy Russell in the plate as he bids to qualify for the big one in March.
The eight-year-old dominated his rivals in a maiden hurdle at the track last time and as he is having just the fourth run of his life, he is open to massive improvement.
Several others are entitled to consideration, including Agent Boru after his promising Coral Handicap Hurdle effort, and Hareth from the in-form Charles Byrnes yard.
Byrnes has recently taken a couple of bumpers with strongly-backed newcomers so the market could be very significant with regard to his first-timer Von Humboldt in the www.punchestown.com INH Flat Race.
Richie Deegan rode Mary B to victory for the County Limerick trainer at Gowran on Saturday and he'll take the reins on Von Humboldt too.
The famed Costello silks will be carried by Ciaran Costello, for his father Adrian, on Mahler Supreme The youngster is having his first ride on a horse trained by his uncle, Tom junior. Black Tears is another intriguing contender given that she's a daughter of a high-class racemare in Our Girl Salley. She goes for Gordon Elliott and Lisa O'Neill.
Willie Mullins unleashes French recruit Defy De Mee in the opening Festival Party Pack From 30 Euro Maiden Hurdle, while his talented bumper mare Redhotfillypeppers bids to make it third-time lucky over timber in the Festival Any Day Flexi Ticket Mares Maiden Hurdle.
