Breathtaking Un De Sceaux can cut to chase at Thurles

Mullins, who has saddled 29 winners this month, has live contenders in four races, but the front-running force of nature that is Un De Sceaux lends some je ne sais quoi to events.

Unbeaten in nine starts, the six-year-old was kept in relatively modest company last term, a tactic that should reap its reward this season. The sternest tests that Un De Sceaux faced were on his two spring forays in France, where he failed to pulverise the opposition as he had done here.

The near two-and-a-half-mile trip stretched him on both occasions, though it's unlikely that any of his 15 rivals will test him over today's two-and-a-quarter-mile journey.

If Ruby Walsh can contain his mount's breathtaking exuberance to ensure that the mud-lover strikes the right balance between using its athleticism efficiently and not being too brave, this should be a formality.

In normal circumstances, the long odds-on favourite's stablemate Blood Cotil, Jessica Harrington's Mr Fiftyone and Colm Murphy's Empire Of Dirt would be worthy contenders.

Circumstances look anything but normal, though, as Un De Sceaux has stratospheric potential right now. Clondaw Court also reappears for a first time since stretching its unbeaten record to four here in January when he tackles the conditions hurdle.

The presence of the Jerry Cosgrave's course-winning chaser Mount Colah is interesting in this seven-runner affair, but Clondaw Court is the one to beat. Successful in a point-to-point, a bumper and two hurdles, he should have the quality to concede weight all round.

Like the beginners' chase, the four-year-olds' hurdle is a competitive-looking heat that might yet be rendered one-sided by the Mullins-Walsh representative Max Dynamite, which is still in Sunday's Grade One novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse despite having yet to run for its new stable.

In the bumper, Mullins and his son Patrick get the nod for the day's nap with Kate Appleby Shoes. Second in both previous outings, the Flemensfirth mare's recent Naas defeat was franked by the third, Aengus, since winning convincingly at Fairyhouse.

In the older horses' maiden hurdle, Irish Grand National-winning rider Paddy Flood returns from Australia to partner Mark McNiff's Arrak, though it is the return of Tony Martin's Golantilla that is likely to decide the outcome.

Acquired for a monster €375,000 by Barry Connell after winning its 'point' and bumper, the 2013 Champion Bumper third has endured an interrupted time since then.

If Golantilla takes to hurdles here under Adrian Heskin, there is still ample time for him to fulfil his potential.