In a game where the unlikely occurs with uncanny frequency, Risk Of Thunder looks as good a value a bet as there is around in the £117,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase. A victory for the Enda Bolger-trained nine-year-old only seems unlikely, because he has made his name as the supreme operator over Punchestown's banks course that many of us have ever seen. Throw that unique specialisation in with the fact that he is owned by the movie legend Sean Connery and some could be forgiven for dismissing his challenge for this lucrative pot as something of a novelty.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Risk Of Thunder may be in a different class over banks, but he is still a decent racehorse on park tracks, as he proved when winning under 12 st at Listowel in September. And he is in this race with a very attractive weight. That Listowel win and that weight are what is encouraging Bolger to go for broke. "We are a bit in the dark, but if he does win we won't be home for a week," said the ebullient Bolger, who also runs Lucky Town. "That Listowel win is the only line we have to the others for Risk Of Thunder and it encourages me. You can't compare Punchestown form to this so, we are reaching for the stars a bit. But he is in very good form and very fit."

In terms of being well-weighted, the obvious contender in this Paddy Power is the favourite, Bob Treacy, who ran almost 40 lb above his mark when splitting Imperial Call and Dorans Pride in the Durkan Chase. On that, Bob Treacy is a handicap certainty, but how many times have horses been thus described and lost?

There is a strong English challenge for the huge prize money, with Calling Wild and Tidebrook a danger to all. Richard Dunwoody's novice mount Glin Castle may be more of a danger though, as could the prolific See Just There. But at 16 to 1 with the sponsors, Risk Of Thunder looks a decent each way bet to complete the fairytale.

Since seriously starting his training career, Christy Roche has emerged as a real force at this meeting, and he can prove that point yet again.

Owner JP McManus refers to Joe Mac as possibly the most exciting horse that will run in his colours this Christmas, and this class youngster can prove the point in the Future Champions Novices Hurdle.

Joe Mac could hardly have won his hurdles debut any more easily, and the speed he showed to get to second place in the Cheltenham bumper indicated his quality. The horse has a huge reputation, and although Colonel Yeager has achieved more over flights, even his renowned finishing kick may not be up to dealing with Joe Mac.

Roche also teams up with Charlie Swan for Afarad in the opener, and significant improvement is expected from this ex-John Oxx horse's jumping debut at Fairyhouse.