Outlander© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins has all but been handed the Cliona's Foundation Novice Hurdle at Limerick as he saddles two of the three runners.
Having originally had seven of the total number of 15 entries, Mullins has whittled it down to Outlander and Measureofmydreams in the Grade Three heat over three miles.
Outlander created a big impression on his first run since finishing sixth to The Liquidator in Punchestown's Champion Bumper in April 2013 when winning easily on his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse six weeks ago.
He earned quotes for the novice events at the Cheltenham Festival in the process and this race looks an ideal stepping stone for the six-year-old, who carries the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
The same owners also have the other Mullins runner, Measureofmydreams, who won at the first attempt over hurdles at Wexford last month.
The pair are taken on by the Mags Mullins-trained Martello Tower He won his first two races over hurdles but fell two out when leading in the 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle at Navan last time.
Mullins has an interesting runner in Gitane Du Berlais in the Cube Printing Mares Beginners Chase.
The youngest member of the field at the age of four, she won a Listed hurdle at Aintree and a Grade Three contest at Fairyhouse last winter but has been absent since finishing fifth in her native France in a Grade One hurdle at Auteuil in June.
Champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien is represented in the Ryans Cleaning Beginners Chase by the JP McManus-owned King Leon
The five-year-old has been beaten in all his three starts over fences to date, but cannot be discounted in this race.
The Shark Hanlon-trained Abolitionist is likely to be fancied to defy top weight and a 4lb penalty for a recent Fairyhouse success in the Flying High This Festive Season Handicap Hurdle.
