Trainer Stuart Crawford has a lovely young type on his hands in three time point-to-point and dual bumper winner, Ground Invasion and the County Antrim handler is hoping for more progress from the five-year-old when he tackles flights for the first time in the Guinness Novice Hurdle.

Rather fittingly, Ground Invasion's owners are named the Liquid Lunch Syndicate, and they've long-since planned a day out at Galway.

Crawford explained: "We could have started him off in a maiden but the fellas were keen. They thought Galway would suit and they were keen to go and take in that race. There's a few of them in the syndicate and they'd like a nice day out in Galway. They're going there with a chance too.

"He's done little wrong so far and he's had plenty of experience. It's not like he's just gone there and won a point-to-point and then a bumper. He's a fair bit of experience from his point-to-point days. There wouldn't be that many five-year-olds to have won three point-to-points and finished second in two.

"He seems to stay well and appreciate pretty decent ground. For both his bumper wins we were worried on the day that the ground wasn't quick enough for him. Two and a half miles here should give him a chance to travel away there for his first run over hurdles.

"I'll be disappointed if he doesn't at least run into a place. I haven't really had a study of the race yet but I'd have thought he'd be there or thereabouts barring a complete disaster.

"I might have another horse (Backinthesaddle) there for a bumper on Sunday but that'll be it with Galway for me."

Ground Invasion will have the assistance of Barry Geraghty in the saddle and his main opposition in the ten strong field would seem to be Desertmore Stream (rated 132), Draycott Place (rated 128), Mumbo Bay Sang Tiger Pink Hat (rated 125) and Icy Reply (rated 125).