Jessica Harrington is hoping Burn And Turn can put it up to the hugely impressive Vroum Vroum Mag in the John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
Vroum Vroum Mag has barely come off the bridle in winning each of her four starts since joining Willie Mullins, but must concede weight to a smart opponent in Burn And Turn, a mare who has finished in the first three 11 times from 14 starts over fences, including a runner-up finish in last summer's Galway Plate behind Road To Riches.
She failed to figure on her latest appearance in a fiercely competitive handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, but back in a smaller field for this Grade Three contest, Harrington is anticipating a bold show.
"Burn And Turn has finished third in this race the last two years and I've been very happy with her since Cheltenham," said the trainer.
"I'd prefer a bit better ground for her, but she has a lot of experience and finished second in last year's Galway Plate, so she's a good mare.
"I don't know if we'll beat Vroum Vroum Mag, but we'll give it a go."
"I don't know if we'll beat Vroum Vroum Mag, but we'll give it a go"
The Moone-based trainer also saddles Annie Oakley, who opened her chase account at Down Royal last month, but has plenty to do on official ratings.
"Annie Oakley is in good form and I'm hoping we can maybe squeeze a bit of black type with her," said Harrington.
Vroum Vroum Mag looks set to star in what could be another excellent afternoon for the all-conquering Mullins team.
The most valuable race of the day aside from the BoyleSports Irish Grand National is the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle, in which the champion trainer fires a three-pronged assault.
Stable jockey Ruby Walsh has sided with last year's winner Thousand Stars, despite the fact the admirable grey has been off the track since running at Auteuil last June.
The 11-year-old is joined by stable companions Zaidpour (Paul Townend) and Analifet (David Mullins).
Tony Martin's Dedigout could put up most resistance.
A bumper eight-race card commences with the REA Grimes Property Consultants Hurdle, where Mullins is once again mob-handed.
Walsh rides Dicosimo, with Townend on Buiseness Sivola David Casey aboard Whiteout.
Other contenders include the Charles O'Brien-trained Prussian Eagle and Alan Fleming's Sam Red.
Grade Two honours are up for grabs in the Coolmore N.H. Sires Leading Light & Ocovango Novice Hurdle.
Mullins runs the Rich Ricci-owned pair Sempre Medici (Walsh) and Max Dynamite (Townend), while Harrington is hoping for a good showing from the freshened up Rock The World.
"He's had a break since January and seems in good form at home," said Harrington.
"I was going to run him in the two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle on Sunday, but this looked the slightly easier option and with the ground also soft, I thought he'd be better running over two than two and a half."
Handicap action is provided by the Boomerang Animal Bedding Handicap Hurdle and the Fred Kenny Lifetime Service To Racing Novice Handicap Chase.
The Weatherbys Ireland GSB Flat Race brings proceedings to a close, with the Mullins-trained pair Au Quart De Tour and Livelovelaugh both looking to bounce back from disappointing efforts in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month.
Ice Cold Soul is on a hat-trick for Noel Meade, while Tony Martin's Anibale Fly adds further strength in depth.
