Upstager© Photo Healy Racing
Owner Nick Mustoe, the beneficiary of The Young Master's disqualification in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton with his Court By Surprise picking up first prize, is in with a chance for another big purse at Cork.
His Upstager will contest the featured Ticket Sales Online Handicap Hurdle, and trainer Pat Colville has booked Paul Townend for the mount on the Gowran Park maiden hurdle victor as he tackles handicap company for the second time.
Colville said: "The trip and the ground should suit him. It's two and a half and he'd like the soft to heavy ground. Paul has ridden him before so we'd be hoping for a good run from him.
"The ground the last day was a bit on the lively side for him. It was good ground and he probably wouldn't want it as quick. It was also three miles and it probably stretched his stamina. That's what Davy Russell thought anyway and I wasn't surprised by that as he has plenty of pace.
"Conditions here should be right up his alley so we're hoping for the best. The owner has been good to me as we'd always be doing a few horses for him."
Not surprisingly with the level of prize-money on offer, this two-and-a-half-miler is a well-contested affair and JP McManus's two representatives, Roll It Out and Ballyburke are particularly noted.
The former may only be a five-year-old but he seems sure to be suited by stepping up to two and a half miles, while the more established Ballyburke is two from two at this venue.
Elsewhere the hurdling debut of Sempre Medici placed fourth at Group One level on the Flat in his native France, means the card starts with a bang at 12.55.
Willie Mullins and Townend, Sempre Medici's trainer and rider, have another exciting one to launch over flights when Black Hercules goes in the 1.25. The mare A Hardy Nailer starting off in the McManus colours, is an interesting opponent for the likely hot favourite.
Meanwhile, local contender Page Turner is one to keep onside in the Christmas Party Raceday December 7th Handicap Chase. He goes well fresh and might be helped by the addition of a hood. Instant Impacked victorious in this contest in 2012, is back with a squeak again for in-form pair Robert Tyner and Philip Enright.
