Thomas Edison (noseband) seen here on the way to victory at Bellewstown© Photo Healy Racing
This year's Guinness Galway Hurdle is typically competitive but the weight of recent support has seen Thomas Edison shorten considerably at the head of the ante-post market.
Tony Martin's gelding was last seen in this sphere managing only fifth at the Punchestown Festival, but two Flat victories sandwich that performance and he could be well treated over jumps.
He is one of four runners for JP McManus, with Plinth, Coffee and Vulcanite also set to carry the famous green and gold silks.
The latter two travel across from Britain, with the raiding party bolstered by the John Ferguson quartet of Purple Bay, Parlour Games, Bordoni and Dubai Prince, while John Quinn sends Pearl Castle, Nicky Henderson fields Laudatory and Seamus Mullins saddles Fergall.
Willie Mullins' interest in the big one ended when Pique Sous got injured, but the champion trainer still has plenty of reason to expect success, particularly with Alelchi Inois attempting to make it three from three over fences in the Guinness Harp Novice Chase.
Mullins should also have high hopes for Pink Hat in the Guinness Novice Hurdle and Laviniad in the Guinness Time Handicap.
The Arthur Guinness EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes carries Listed status so is the pick of the Flat action, and the Dermot Weld-trained Tested strives to confirm her Naas superiority over Slipper Orchid.
The Jim Bolger-trained Tobann has been a model of consistency of late and heads the weights.
Michael Hourigan's Our Man Zebo has developed into a 131-rated performer over timber so, providing he takes to the larger obstacles, he sets the standard in the opening GuinnessPlus App Beginners Chase at 1.50.
His stable companion Thats Nice is one for the shortlist in the Guinness Legacy Flat Race, while Ridestan hit the crossbar in the opening event of the meeting and reverts to the level for the Guinness Surge Handicap.
