Alpha Des Obeaux (right) © Photo Healy Racing
Alpha Des Obeaux makes his eagerly awaited debut over regulation fences in the Like A Butterfly Novice Chase at Tipperary on Sunday.
A winner on his sole point-to-point start back in 2014, the Mouse Morris-trained six-year-old has proved himself at the highest level over hurdles during the past couple of seasons.
His biggest success to date came in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January of this year, while he has filled the runner-up spot four times at the highest level, most notably chasing home Thistlecrack in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Alpha Des Obeaux faces six rivals as he makes his seasonal reappearance and fencing bow in this two-and-a-half-mile Grade Three contest.
"He is in good form and if he runs well I'll be happy, I just want to get a bit of experience into him," Morris stated. Westerner Lady has won her last five races for Willie Mullins and has been flawless since switching to the larger obstacles on her penultimate start.
She takes a step up in class now and it will be interesting to see how she copes. Tocororo recorded comfortable wins at Tramore and Galway on her last two starts, while Sandymount Duke and Deans Road are other leading contenders.
Five have been declared for the other Grade Three on the card, the Joe Mac Novice Hurdle, with the Mullins-trained Penhill heading the field.
The five-time Flat winner is three from four since switching to flights, and it is difficult to look beyond him in this two-mile heat. Timiyan easily won what was probably a weak maiden on his last start at Listowel and is an obvious danger. Bel Sas makes his debut for Joseph O'Brien and is fitted with a tongue strap for the first time. The gelding is one of an estimated 60 Gigginstown House Stud-owned horses that left Mullins' yard earlier in the week, after a disagreement over training fees.
O'Brien said of the five-year-old: "I don't know much about him as he only came to us on Thursday, but hopefully he will run well."
The Woodlands Hotel Adare Handicap Hurdle is a wide-open affair, Aidan O'Brien has two runners here in Hallmark and Cradle Mountain
Both look to have solid claims in what is a wide-open contest, with Lofgren Prickly Lilly The Lioness and the Tony Martin duo of Oighear Dubh and Clonard Street all likely to have plenty of supporters.
The Kenyon Street Traders Flat Race rounds off proceedings, and Dos Picas and Mountain Rock are the stand-out names.
The Athassel House Stud EBF Maiden is the first of three Flat races down for decision, and Aidan O'Brien appears to have strong claims with Tang Dynasty and Galilean
TheTote.com Handicap is a competitive one, with Mizaah An Saighdiur Tribal Path Downforce and UK raider Severus a few for the shortlist.
