The F.B.D. Insurance Hurdle at Kilbeggan is more about quality than quantity, with Russian War setting the standard after showing signs of a revival at Ayr.
A winner at the Scottish track 12 months earlier, Gordon Elliott's nine-year-old has struggled at the hands of the assessor subsequently, but the application of blinkers helped rekindle some of his enthusiasm and he stayed on late for fifth in this year's renewal of the same race.
He has a dual Willie Mullins challenge to repel here, with Ruby Walsh preferring Sergent Guib's to Shakervilz, but the Dessie Hughes-trained Raz De Maree is up against it on official ratings. Mullins' Cadspeed shaped with promise on his return from a long lay-off at Wexford and should strip fitter for the Westmeath Beginners Chase.
However, Noel Meade's Silverhand is a classy recruit to the sphere for this time of year and will be a tough nut to crack if he can repeat the form that took him into the frame at the Cheltenham Festival last time.
Benash beat all bar Snap Tie over timber at Punchestown but looked far from a natural chaser in his two previous attempts at fences.
Inexperience cost Supreme Carolina dear at Cork and she should know more about the job at hand in the Kinnegad Maiden Hurdle, with Walsh keeping the partnership intact.
White Feathers and Westhaven took minor honours here earlier in the month, but eight lengths separated the pair so there is no obvious reason why the form can be reversed in the Tullamore Maiden Hurdle, which starts proceedings at 5.25.
Ross Na Righ broke his chasing duck on his most recent appearance but reverts to the smaller obstacles on a lenient rating in the Mullingar Handicap Hurdle.
His stablemate Stonemaster goes back to fences from timber in the Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Handicap Chase, and trainer Dessie Hughes is also responsible for Kilavalley, who must have a chance in the kilbegganraces.ie (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.
