Willie Mullins reports Hurricane Fly to be in fine shape ahead of his long-awaited return to action in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown .
The six-year-old swept all before him during a scintillating novice campaign, rounding off a stellar season with victory at this meeting 12 months ago.
However, he was disappointing when beaten into third on his comeback in November and a number of setbacks mean he has been off the track since.
"He's in good form and well enough to run, but obviously there is a big question about his race fitness," said Mullins.
"We've been happy with his recent homework so we'll let him take his chance and see what happens."
Mullins has a second string to his bow in the Grade One event with County Hurdle winner Thousand Stars testing the water in open company.
"It's a step up for Thousand Stars but he has only had one disappointing run for me and on the other three runs he won easily," the champion trainer added.
"I might as well run him in this and find out how good he might be and that might make things clearer for us next season." Punjabi has a fine record at the track having won the Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle in 2007, this prize in 2008 and also finished second in it to Solwhit 12 months ago.
His trainer Nicky Henderson said: "Punjabi's all set to go. He's always loved it at Punchestown.
"He's won this before and he got beat a short head last year.
"I'd love to see him bounce back after the Champion Hurdle."
Alan King is hoping Medermit can return to his best after being well-beaten in the Champion Hurdle when he was found to have pulled muscles in his back.
"He was obviously disappointing at Cheltenham after he'd had such a good preparation but he did come back very sore and pulled a few muscles in his back," said King.
"We've given him some time off to recover and he seems very fresh and well now.
"It does look a cracking renewal though, one of the best I cam remember in recent years." Dunguib steps out of novice company for the first time having beaten into third when odds-on for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
His trainer Philip Fenton accepts his star turn has a tough task but is looking forward to the race nevertheless.
"He's in good form and we're looking forward to running him," said the County Waterford trainer.
"He's had a trouble-free run since Cheltenham, all is well, and he's ready for action.
"It will be a tough assignment. We'll see if it's the right decision tomorrow afternoon.
"It's lovely ground, they've done a brilliant job up there."
Joining Punjabi and Medermit on the trip from Britain is the David Pipe-trained Ronaldo Des Mottes
Colm Murphy runs the talented mare Voler La Vedette and Noel Meade relies on Aintree Hurdle second Muirhead De Valira and Won In The Dark complete the field.
