Schindlers Hunt missed out on the chance to run at Cheltenham, but some Grade One compensation looks like it could be waiting for him on the opening day of the Fairyhouse Easter festival in the Powers Gold Cup.

Twelve horses line up for tomorrow's €100,000 feature, including the English-trained pair of Regal Heights and Ursis, as well as the star mare Cailin Alainn, who won the Drinmore over this course and distance in early December.

Cailin Alainn was chased home on that occasion by Schindlers Hunt, who progressed afterwards to a pair of Grade One successes over two miles that unquestionably ranked him as Ireland's prime candidate for the Arkle at Cheltenham.

However, a clerical mix-up meant his name didn't appear among the festival entries and Dessie Hughes had to run him instead at Naas in late February, when Schindlers Hunt fell at the last when beaten.

Tomorrow's race, though, has always been the plan since, and with a clear preparation, and much faster ground, the Hughes runner can get the better of Cailin Alainn this time.

Regal Heights looks an unexposed type that just might be able to shake his more experienced rivals up. But, with ground conditions an issue for some of his rivals, the case for Schindlers Hunt looks pretty convincing.

One of the main support events is the Grade Three mares novice hurdle where the beaten Triumph Hurdle favourite Lounaos makes a quick reappearance in an event that, on figures, she should win easily.

The two-and-a-half-mile trip should not be a problem, but the going might be, and there is no knowing the effects of that fruitless trip to Cheltenham.

If Lounaos is not in peak form, then Blazing Sky should go close on ground that shouldn't be a problem for her.

Noel Meade, whose string have shown a return to form recently, throws three at the Grade Two Rathbarry & Glenview Novice Hurdle, and while Paul Carberry has chosen Aitmatoiv, the former top bumper horse Leading Run will also be fancied, particularly going right handed.

Mick The Man is the Meade runner in the bumper, where the Cheltenham fifth Fiveforthree reappears. He has quite a hard race at the festival, however, and Woodbine Willie looks a type to make them all go.