Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy will make his long-awaited seasonal appearance at Gowran Park on Thursday, where he’ll go back over the smaller obstacles to contest the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle.
Pat Kelly’s inmate hasn’t been seen since winning the RSA at the Cheltenham Festival last March due to the unseasonably firm ground that’s thwarted his handler’s efforts at getting a preparatory run into him ahead of a tilt at the three mile showpiece at the festival.
The John Durkan at Punchestown and, latterly, the Savills Chase at Leopardstown had been stated targets for the two-time Cheltenham winner but, now, he’ll return to contest a race he landed last year.
He’s a general 4-1 shot to make it three successful trips to Prestbury Park on the spin should all go to plan. Last year’s winner Native River, unlikely to get the toe in the ground he’d like this time around, and Willie Mullins’ wide-margin Savills Chase winner Kemboy are the next-best hopes in the eyes of the layers.
Eddie Scally of Gowran Park Racecourse told the Racing Post: "We are delighted to have the Gold Cup favourite here and the race looks like being a good test for him.
"Overall its a high-class card and we are grateful for the support that owners and trainers have given Gowran Park on our big day, we can't wait for the action to begin. Gates will be open at 11am."
Other highlights on the card at the County Kilkenny venue will include the Thyestes Chase, whose participants will include last year’s Grand National runner-up Pleasant Company, Pat Kelly’s Kim Muir second Mall Dini, and a course winner at the top of the market in the shape of Willie Mullins’ Invitation Only.
The first race gets underway at 12:45 tomorrow on what will be a seven-race card.
