Selection Box will attempt to improve on his 2010 finish in Thursday's Connolly's Red Mills Thyestes Handicap Chase.

Colin McBratney's gelding finished sixth in Gowran Park's annual highlight 12 months ago and ran respectably in a couple of other staying chases before his form tailed off.

McBratney has kept Selection Box over hurdles so far this term with two runs at his local track of Down Royal.

The second of those was far better, finishing third in a two-mile handicap on December 30, and he is a best-priced 20-1 for the Thyestes with Boylesports and Stan James.

"It was a good run over hurdles and he's heading to the Thyestes," said McBratney.

"He was a bit unlucky in the race last year. He's nicely weighted and I have always thought there was a big handicap in him."

Dessie Hughes plans to have two runners, with the County Kildare trainer earmarking Siegemaster and Ten Fires for the valuable three-mile event.

Siegemaster was third in the race 12 months ago and is dropped in class after being well beaten in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Ten Fires returned from a near 10-month break when a close second to Imaalhall at Naas two weeks ago.

"I'll run two. Siegemaster will run again and there's Ten Fires. Both are ready for it," said Hughes.

Alpha Ridge is set to take his chance as he continues his search for a first success over fences.

A Grade Two winner over hurdles, the nine-year-old has yet to hit the mark in seven chases starts, although he has finished second five times.

"He's been a bit disappointing over fences, a bit cowardly and dropping himself out, but he jumped well the last day," said trainer Paul Nolan.

"It's a competitive handicap but he'll have his chance."