Willie Mullins has had a relatively low-key season, but ahead of Florida Pearl's weekend appearance at Down Royal, Ireland's champion jumps trainer can strike a double at Thurles today.
Florida Pearl is as short as 4 to 6 with Cashmans to repeat his 1999 victory in the £110,000 James Nicholson Champion Chase and success there would catapult his trainer up the prizemoney chart.
Mullins, however, has saddled just six winners this term, and a first and last race double this afternoon would be a return to normal service for the Carlow trainer.
One Night Out won bumpers at Fairyhouse and Gowran last term and looks a type to do well over flights as well as act on ground that is sure to ride on the soft side. Killultagh Thunder ran Browne Street to three lengths on his debut at Tipperary and looks the obvious solution to the bumper.
Native Jack attracted rave reviews on his last start at Thurles when delivering a very easy 20-length defeat to Millamolong. Philip Fenton again takes the ride on the novice in the Matterhorn Hurdle and anything but another easy victory will be surprising.
JP McManus' Creon was a costly failure on his last visit to Thurles, but the extra half mile of the handicap chase should be to his liking, while the Aidan O'Brien-trained Kilcash Castle should lift the second Beginners Chase if the ground is not too bad.
