The nine-year-old has just 8st 11lb to carry, a welterweight by his standards, and Hughes is of the opinion that the race will be the ideal opener as he begins his preparations for the season.

This is only the first rung on the ladder for the gelding, and he faces the added disadvantages of soft ground and wet and windy weather this afternoon. Nevertheless, Hughes commented earlier this week that "he's been back with us for over 10 weeks since his summer break, so he should be fairly straight on Sunday."

The Lizmullen Hurdle at Navan on 12 November is expected to be Hardy Eustace's next race, but his trainer warned "the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham is still the target this season". It would be unrealistic to expect too much from the nine-year-old at this early stage of the campaign, but a placed effort would leave Hughes feeling very happy, and the David Wachmantrained Whoneedswings may represent a more attractive alternative.

Racing also takes place further south at Clonmel and Clonakilty trainer Thomas O'Leary may fire the opening race salvo here with the hitherto luckless performer Grange Glen in the CRSC 21st Birthday Maiden Hurdle.

Noel Meade is also expected to enjoy a profitable afternoon by sending out a double through Deep Return in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Novice Chase and Aitmatov in the John Costigan Memorial Novice Hurdle.

Deep Return runs in the three mile novice event in preference to the Bettyville Handicap Chase, and holds more appeal than the Michael Hourigan-trained Mossbank, who was a successful graduate of the point-to- point field before embarking on a career over hurdles.