Coral.ie begin their backing of the prestigious and long-standing Grade A Leopardstown Handicap Chase and sprightly veteran Seabass is back in a bid to add to his 2012 gains in the two-mile-five-furlong event.
The 13-year-old is a real favourite with trainer Ted Walsh and his family, having given them and his owners, the Gunners Syndicate, some big days out through a career that stretches back to his four-year-old point-to-pointing days.
Winner of seven successive races from 2010 to 2012, Seabass memorably finished third under Walsh's daughter Katie in the Grand National four years ago.
He showed that the flame still burns bright with a recent Thurles hurdle win and a second place at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.
However, Ted Walsh is under no illusion about the task facing his popular charge, who will again be partnered by Katie.
"He's 13 years of age and it'd be highly unlikely that he'd come back after four years and win another Leopardstown Chase," said the County Kildare handler, who sent out Foxrock to win this race last year.
"I actually ride him out at home and I've been very happy with his work"
"He has a nice racing weight, though, and he had a good run the last day and he had a good run at Thurles.
"He's in good nick and you have to take the chance when you have it in a €100,000 race.
"It looked the place to go with him as there's basically not a lot of options.
"He won well around there before on his only run there, so it's the obvious race for him.
"You have to take every day as it comes now at his age, and with his problems you don't know how long he's going to keep going."
Willie Mullins' sole chance rests with top-weight Blood Cotil (Ruby Walsh), although he is returning from a 261-day lay-off.
The trainer's son Patrick said: "There was a plan with Blood Cotil to go for the Galway Plate but he got a little setback.
"I actually ride him out at home and I've been very happy with his work.
"He's obviously got a lot of weight on his seasonal debut and that'll make life difficult for him.
"He's ready to start the season, though, and he's made a full recovery from what wasn't a big issue."
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