Trainer Tim Doyle is looking forward to seeing his Punchestown Festival winner Mallowney make his seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park later this month.
The eight-year-old enjoyed a fine novice campaign over fences last season, winning at Naas in early January before several placed efforts in good company, including a creditable run behind Saturday's JNwine.com Champion Chase winner Road To Riches.
Mallowney himself enjoyed big-race success with a handicap victory at Punchestown in the spring and Doyle believes there is every chance his stable star could be an even better horse this season.
Doyle said: "He's nearly ready to go and hopefully he'll start back in a race at Gowran on November 22.
"He seems in good form and it was never the plan to have him out too early as I have a spring campaign in mind for him.
"We won't be making any definite plans. We'll just play it by ear with him and see how he performs early on in the season.
"I'm hoping he might improve. He's definitely a stronger horse this year and he's more relaxed at home.
"He put it up to Road To Riches at Fairyhouse earlier in the year and then went and won at the Punchestown Festival, so the form is there."
