It's five days since the original Thurles fixture, featuring the Grade Two MacLochlainn Kinloch Brae Chase, was cancelled because of waterlogging, but all those reasons for believing Hi Cloy can come out on top this afternoon remain the same.
Michael Hourigan's multiple Grade One winner has to concede weight to five opponents, including last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup third Forget The Past, who has his first start of the season over fences.
The delay should help Forget The Past who scored over hurdles only a week and half ago and who has 3lb in hand of Hi Cloy on official ratings.
However, the two-and-a-half-mile trip is short of his optimum while all the evidence suggests Hi Cloy is at his best at this distance. The same comment also looks to apply to the 10-length Hilly Way winner Tumbling Dice who nevertheless looks like he will have to step up in this company.
Hourigan has an attempt on the Hennessy at Leopardstown in mind for Hi Cloy next month and today looks a good opportunity for the 10-year-old to go there in winning form.
Barry Geraghty will be on board Tumbling Dice but his best chance looks to come with Gazza's Girl in the Grade Three Coolmore Mares Novice Chase. Gazza's Girl appeared set to challenge her old rival Cailin Alainn in a Christmas Grade One at Leopardstown only to exit at the second last and this looks a much easier opportunity.
Last season's Cheltenham and Punchestown winner Whyso Mayo returns to action in the hunters chase where any lack of fitness could be exploited by another Cork-trained hope, Arctic Times, who gets 10lb.
Cleni Boy goes beyond two miles for the first time in the novice hurdle but a stamina test looks like it should suit Noel Meade's horse.
