The two-day highlight of Down Royal's year begins on Friday and Apple's Jade is expected to be the star of the show.

The ex-French filly was the best juvenile around last term, with her sole defeat in the Triumph Hurdle by Ivanovich Gorbatov avenged when she strolled home at Aintree and Punchestown.

Since then, she has become one of the highest profile Gigginstown House Stud horses to leave Willie Mullins and she tackles three opponents on her debut for Gordon Elliott in this Grade Two.

Petit Mouchoir, touched off at the highest level twice in the spring, has also departed the champion trainer's yard and starts off for Henry de Bromhead.

The field is completed by Rashaan and My Manekineko.

Mullins and Elliott locks horns in the chief supporting race, the EBF Lough Construction Ltd. Mares Novice Hurdle, with Airlie Beach taking on Shattered Love.

Mullins claimed this Grade Three prize last year with Listen Dear and the unbeaten Airlie Beach carries the same Supreme Horse Racing Club colours, while Gigginstown's Shattered Love made an impressive start to her timber career at Tipperary.

Elliott is responsible for the half of the six-runner Porter & Co. Beginners Chase field, with his chief hope probably the ex-Mullins inmate A Toi Phil, who won a Grade Two novice hurdle back in January.

On what could be a good day for the Gold Cup-winning handler, Elliott also has Realt Mor and Killer Crow heading the weights for the Robinson Services Handicap Chase, as well as three in the opening Eventsec Maiden Hurdle at 12.45.

The pick of the trio seems to be easy Tipperary scorer Monbeg Notorious, who has an edge in fitness over stable companion The Storyteller.

The Noel Meade-trained Moulin A Vent is a big threat, though.

Elliott and Meade cross swords in the Killyhevlin Hotel Flat Race, too, with Morgan and Joey Sasa respectively.