Willie Mullins is responsible for five of the nine horses to have stood their ground for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Mullins has saddled the last three scorers in the two-and-a-quarter-mile Grade One, with last year's victor Nichols Canyon preceded by two subsequent winners of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in Vautour and Champagne Fever.
This year's quintet includes the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned pair of Bellshill and Yorkhill, both of whom are unbeaten over hurdles.
On their last starts Bellshill landed the Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas and Yorkhill struck in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
Mullins could also call upon Bleu Et Rouge, Petit Mouchoir and recent Warwick scorer Thomas Hobson.
Last Encounter, trained by the champion trainer's sister-in-law Mags Mullins, was runner-up behind Bellshill at Naas and could take him on again this weekend.
However, the six-year-old also has the option of running in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday.
"We're not sure what we're going to do yet, but I'd say Clonmel is probably more likely," said Mullins.
"He's in good form, so I'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do."
The Gordon Elliott-trained Tombstone was only just held off by Long Dog in the Paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and vies for favouritism with Bellshill and Yorkhill.
Elliott believes Tombstone has lots in his favour.
He told his BoyleSports blog: "There will more than likely be five or six runners in the race.
"Willie Mullins will probably have two, we'll have one and there'll be a few others.
"I really think the trip will suit and the ground will suit him so with a bit of luck, he'll do it."
Eddie Harty's Coney Island and Anibale Fly from Tony Martin's yard complete the list.
Live coverage from Leopardstown on RTÉ One and RTÉ.ié (Island of Ireland only) from 1.40pm.
