Back In Focus makes his eagerly-awaited debut over fences in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase at Listowel on Thursday.
Owners Andrea and Graham Wylie switched his Grade 2-winning hurdler to Willie Mullins after the departure of Howard Johnson from the training ranks, but it was a while before he saw a racecourse, and he could only manage second at Tipperary when he did resurface in July.
His future lies in this sphere, though, but if he is still a bit ring-rusty, White Star Line is a worthy opponent because he filled the runner-up berth at this year's Cheltenham Festival and has a recent Roscommon spin under his belt.
Mullins hasn't been able to get a win out of Bundle Of Fun over the larger obstacles and now tries his luck again over timber in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle.
Midlands National hero Caim Hill made the same switch successfully at Bellewstown, with Uponthe Hoof, Baresi and Aughnacurraveel adding further spice to a competitive heat.
Annie Power created a big impression in two outings for Jim Bolger and has just Vintage Supreme to beat on her first start for Mullins in the Devon Inn Hotel (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
The Pier accompanied Kerry National runner Premier Dane over from David Pipe's yard and attempts to make the journey worthwhile in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
A Tony Martin trio spearheaded by the lightly-weighted Dara Tango lies in wait, as do Princeton Plains and Shamiran, who have been in great heart on the level.
Whatuthink couldn't make an impact in two appearances at the Galway Festival, but he was victorious when last seen on the Flat and heads the weights for the Thomas O'Connor Memorial Handicap.
Aidan O'Brien applies blinkers to Exact in the opening Helena Sheridan Memorial Maiden at 2.05, and the Ballydoyle handler should also be optimistic of a bold show from Wonderful in the T.P. Walsh Memorial Handicap.
