The Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase is the highlight at Fairyhouse tomorrow and sees a pair of Willie Mullins horses bidding to atone for Cheltenham spills.
McKinley unshipped Bryan Cooper in the novices' handicap at Prestbury Park and has Ruby Walsh in the saddle this time, as Cooper has opted to ride Outlander, who was still going well enough when falling four out in the JLT Novices' Chase.
"It's coming a bit quick for Outlander, but we'll let him take his chance”
Mullins admits that the race, coming just 10 days after Cheltenham, could prove to be a tall order for the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding.
"It's coming a bit quick, but we'll let him take his chance,” he said. "He doesn't appear to have suffered any ill effects from the fall in Cheltenham. He was hampered at the start and I think he was well beaten when he came down, so we'll see what he can do."
Mullins can also call upon Vedettariat, a winner by 29 lengths here last time, while Lord Scoundrel is the third Gigginstown representative.
"Vedettariat looks like he could be outclassed, but better ground will suit him better and he could run into a place."
Gigginstown have a third string to their bow in the form of Gordon Elliott's Lord Scoundrel.
There are two challengers from Britain, with the Venetia Williams-trained Otago Trail joined by Kerry Lee's Kylemore Lough.
The latter has won his last four starts over fences and tests his powers at the highest level for the first time this weekend.
Barry Geraghty takes over in the saddle from the injured Jamie Moore.
Lee said: "It's great to be going into a race like this as the top-rated horse, but we have a lot of respect for Outlander.
"This is our horse's stiffest test to date, but he's won his last four and we're looking forward to having a go.
"Barry Geraghty is a very positive jockey booking, obviously. He's the super-sub.
"I've been in touch with Peter Roe (Fairyhouse racecourse manager) a number of times this week - I should think he's sick of me by now!
"There's some rain forecast and hopefully that will get into the ground."
Tony Martin's Blair Perrone from Henry de Bromhead's stable and Sizing Platinum complete an eight-strong field.
Mullins has four runners in the other Grade One on the card, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final, with Asthuria - who makes her debut for the Closutton handler after two runs in France - Miss Me Now, Monbeg Rose and Myska all in action at 3.05pm race.
He has a trio of runners in the Grade Two Agnelli Motor Park Novice Hurdle in Haymount, Nambour and Fire In Soul, but the big interest could come in the guise of Tony Martin's Lift The Latch, who made it two wins from as many starts under Rules with an emphatic display at Gowran last week.
Caolaneoin, Solita and Westerner Point all bid to follow up recent victories in the competitive Boylesports Novice Handicap Chase, while Mullins will be out to get the bandwagon rolling early as he saddles the capable if inconsistent Beau Mome in the Cusack Hotels Maiden Hurdle, which gets the meeting under way at 2.00.
Live coverage of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse begins on RTÉ2 from 2.30pm Sunday
