Andrew McNamara sends Val De Ferbet back into action quickly as the Thurles Racecourse Hurdle presents a suitable opportunity for the recent Cork runner-up.

The 144-rated Voix Du Nord gelding performed admirably in his bid to get McNamara off the mark in the training ranks when hitting the bar just 10 days ago.

On that occasion Val De Ferbet got the third-last flight wrong, which quickly tipped the balance in favour of the eventual victor, Tennis Cap.

To the credit of the McNamara runner though, he rallied. However, he still had to yield at the line by a length and three-quarters.

The first-time tongue-strap worn then is back on now, and the step-up to three miles would seem likely to suit the seven-year-old well.

Val De Ferbet is well treated by the race conditions, with the mare, Jennies Jewel standing out as being possibly the most dangerous rival.

The daughter of Flemensfirth has been plying her trade in Britain of late, including when runner-up to Vroum Vroum Mag at Ascot in January.

Four previous visits to Thurles haven't yielded a win for Jennies Jewel, but a bold bid is almost certainly in the offing now.

Thirty five minutes earlier in the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, dual bumper scorer Champagne Harmony starts his jumping career.

Those successes mean that Stephen Mahon's promising type must concede weight away all round, but hopefully he'll come here fit and well on his first start since mid-December.

The Stowaway gelding was well beaten then at Navan in a hot winner's event, but he'd previously shown his worth at Galway and Cork.

Said to jump well, Champagne Harmony would seem likely to possess too much class for these opponents.

Elsewhere, the concluding Littleton Flat Race has several attractive looking youngsters in its ranks. Willie Mullins' Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper 'also ran,' Kolumbus might prove best.