There are almost 120 horses for punters to assess at Tipperary on Thursday, although only three go to post for the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at 4.55.
Michael Mulvany took this with Tough As Nails 12 months ago but his representatove this time, Chips Are Down, has to concede previous experience to Katchy Lady and Marvelous James.
Prior to her last-start Dundalk flop, Kanes Pass had been in fine form at the all-weather venue and that fitness will stand her in good stead in a wide-open Follow Tipperary On Facebook Handicap.
With parts of the course unfit for racing, the intended mile-and-a-half handicap has been abandoned, with the Follow TipperaryRaces On Twitter Maiden Hurdle splitting.
The first instalment sees the jumping debut of Unique Style, now with Arthur Moore, although Tobar Na Gaoise has a higher Flat rating and the benefit of three previous starts over obstacles.
In the second division, An Dearthair Og has been edging gradually closer to that first victory, and his time may have arrived on testing ground that should play to his strengths.
His stable companion You Must Know boasts a similar level of consistency and must go on the shortlist now he steps up in distance for the Schooling At Tipperary Maiden Hurdle.
Charles Byrnes' Shrapnel and the Willie Mullins-trained Quaquo De Flotte may give him most to think about, and the champion trainer has further claims of glory with Tipperary Racecourse Event Flat Race contender Digeanta.
Code Of The West has taken really well to fences but his mark has shot up as a result, and he reverts to timber off an 18lb lower figure in the TipperaryRaces.com Handicap Hurdle.
