It's an occupational Cheltenham hazard to start the festival confident of success in every race but even allowing for that it's still reasonable to expect Missed That to highlight what could be a vintage day for the Irish.
The Champion Hurdle might be the feature but for many the opening-day highlight will be the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, which has the smallest field of the afternoon but one full of quality.
Four horses are Irish-trained, with two others from France, and none of them is likely to be intimidated by the ante-post favourite Racing Demon who will be spurred on by sentiment but also looks to have too many question marks surrounding him.
A tendency to jump to the right is always a black mark around here and it's hardly in Racing Demon's favour that his long-term future looks to lie over distances in excess of two miles. Henrietta Knight's record and expertise around Cheltenham is a considerable plus. But this is one favourite many will be keen to take on.
Another leading fancy to take on could be Accordion Etoile who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty for the first time after regular jockey John Cullen was sidelined with injury. On a hold-up horse such a factor could matter considerably.
At a general 20 to 1 odds Wild Passion makes much more appeal but not as much as Missed That whose transformation from a poor chasing debut to double Grade One winner over fences has been astonishing.
The general worry about him appears to be that slow jumping early on could leave him with too much to do. But to counter that argument, simply ask the question: how many of this opposition could have won the bumper like he did last year despite pulling like a train for the first mile? If you believe the answer is none, then you might just have an Arkle winner on board.
Sweet Wake will be a major fancy in the Supreme as he tries to emulate Noel Meade's only festival winner to date by carrying the same colours and following the same route to the festival as Sausalito Bay.
The ex-German horse's flat form means he could easily take this but the bare hurdles form is hardly outstanding and his price is skinny enough on that basis.
There are seven Irish horses in the race and the lowest profile of the lot belongs to Blueberry Boy, who is trained in Oldtown, Co Dublin, by Paul Stafford. But there is little wrong with this horse's overall form behind the SunAlliance hope Mr Nosie and he worked noticeably well after racing at Leopardstown 10 days ago.
Denis O'Regan is a jockey with a low profile in Britain as well but last year's Galway Plate win on Ansar indicated a young man who thrives on the big day. At general 33 to 1 odds, Blueberry Boy looks like he might be a decent each-way festival opener.
Three Irish winners on this day last year was the prelude to a record-breaking festival total but it might even get bettered this time round should we get to the marathon cross country on a roll.
The veteran Spot Thedifference did the business as favourite 12 months ago and this time is joined by his stable companions Good Step and Buailtes And Fadas who will be ridden by brother and sister, Paul and Nina Carberry, respectively.
Of the trio, Good Step could be the best option as he has already experienced the unique twists and turns of the course.
Tony McCoy looks a significant booking for the Francois Doumen-trained Moulin Riche who landed the Brit Hurdle last year and who is well fancied to double up in the William Hill Trophy Chase.
Desperately deep ground was all against this horse in his last start at Haydock but Doumen was still noticeably upbeat afterwards. The reason can become apparent today.
The Fred Winter Juvenile Novice Handicap looks a desperately difficult race to work out. Dreux is exposed but looks the tough sort to go well. However, the Ludlow winner Rosecliff is on the up and can provide the injury-plagued Barry Fenton with a timely winner.
