Michael Winters has his fingers crossed Rebel Fitz can delight his band of supporters by winning the Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday.
The popular dual-purpose performer has pleased his trainer since returning in triumph in a Flat race at Listowel last month after being off the track since he suffered a setback following his win in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April.
"He's very good, he's very fresh, he's very well and the ground is lovely," said Winters.
"He might draw a bit of an extra crowd which would be great.
"He is entitled to win the race, but he still has to go and do it.
"He normally improves from a run and I'd say he looks well in himself now.
"They've done a fantastic job on the track. I walked it the other evening and it was in great nick.
"Rain is coming in, I believe, and they have been making sure the ground is very safe for the National Hunt horses. It's fingers crossed."
John McConnell knows Rebel Fitz will be a tough nut to crack but his runner Orgilgo Bay is a progressive young horse and could pick up a share of the prize money on offer.
"Obviously we're up against it. Ratings-wise it doesn't look as if we can win it, but it's a good pot so we'll let him take his chance as long as the ground doesn't deteriorate too much. There is rain about so it depends where it hits," said the county Meath trainer.
"It's a big ask. Rebel Fitz is a very good horse and has a habit of winning, so he will be tough to beat.
"The way our lad is progressing we thought we'd have a go and it's good prize money for the second and third."
Completing a six-horse line-up for the Grade Two contest are Aidan O'Brien's Plinth, Charlie Swan's The Game Changer, Henry de Bromhead's Darwins Fox and False Economy from Michael Hourigan's stable.
A number of interesting fledgling hurdlers take centre stage in the Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, not least the unbeaten Lean And Keen and recent course winner Cillian's Return.
There is plenty of equine talent on display in the Like A Butterfly Novice Chase, but arguably the biggest reception could come for Ruby Walsh, who makes his return to race riding after injury on Indevan.
A classy hurdler, Willie Mullins' charge already has two wins over fences to his name and is Walsh's selection over stablemate Rough Justice.
With winning fencers Blacklough and Hurricane Ridge also in attendance, Walsh won't be getting things all his own way.
The Group Three Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes is the pick of the Flat races and sees Brendan Brackan bid to banish the memory of his heavy Leopardstown defeat recently.
He could fare better back over a more feasible trip, but Colin Keane has opted to ride Ger Lyons' other runner, Some Spirit, while Leitir Mor and Big Break are certainly no back numbers.
Last-time-out winners Seanie, Vector Force and Gone Viral are just three of a number of contenders in a bumper field for the Tote Jackpot Races 3 To 6 Handicap, while Aidan O'Brien takes the wraps off Ivanovich Gorbatov in the Athassel House Stud EBF Maiden, which gets the meeting under way at 2:05pm.
