Favourites have a fine record in this 20-runner affair with seven of the last 10 obliging so all eyes will be on the Willie Mullins pair of Gamin Original and Purple Mountain.

Mullins and Paul Townend combined to take this prize 12 months ago and the duo are represented by €100,000 purchase Gamin Original, although the five-year-old didn’t pull up any trees in his two hurdle starts.

Much better will be expected after his reappearance at Ballinrobe following a 457-day break while something was amiss with Purple Mountain when tailed off in a Grade Two bumper in February.

The six-year-old mare – a Listed winner on her penultimate start – is expected to make a bold bid under Patrick Mullins on her hurdling bow while Enda Bolger’s Choir Practice is one for every shortlist

Verdict: Purple Mountain can prove majestic for Team Mullins.

4.30 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 150yds

Another victory for the father and son combination of Paul and Jack Gilligan would be greeted by more exuberant scenes with four-year-old Varna Gold a live chance as he drops back in class against older rivals.

He has had some creditable displays over hurdles and makes each-way appeal while Punchestown runner-up Good World should not be discounted for Kilkenny trainer Eoin Griffin.

Nibiru ran a cracker when second on the Flat earlier this week and Tony Martin’s six-year-old is interesting with cheekpieces applied, as is the John Burke-trained Toms Courage.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s has never hidden his high opinion of Hallowed Star and the six-year-old comes here in fine fettle after his Roscommon triumph.

A repeat of that effort would be enough to defy top-weight and the assistance of Jordan Gainford could help to see him home in front.

Verdict: Hallowed Star can soar under Gainford.

5.0 Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle 2m 150yds

Hogan landed this €75,000 prize in 2018 and can do so again with course and distance winner Bua Boy.

The six-year-old looks to have been laid out for this having been gingerly treated when ninth in a Naas handicap hurdle at Naas on his last start.

He was a close third in a valuable Listowel handicap hurdle on his penultimate start and can cause an upset in a heat which has seen just one winning favourite in seven years. Mullins’ Getaway Gorgeous – a good Listed winner at Killarney – deserves respect having just missed out on the Galway Hurdle while Jack Foley takes a crucial 7lbs off.

Townend opts for the hat-trick-seeking Ruaille Buaille while Joseph O’Brien’s dual course winner Flying Scotsman made light of a six-month absence when opening his account over hurdles at Navan recently and demands a second glance.

Verdict: Bua Boy can notch another big win for trainer/jockey Hogan.

5.30 Grade B Guinness Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f 168yds

Punters should tread carefully in this 20-runner minefield where Mullins saddles four contenders as he eyes a sixth success in eight years.

Jazzaway delivered a career best when winning a big handicap hurdle at this year’s Punchestown Festival and steps significantly up in trip under Conor McNamara.

Recent Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Stratum has failed to fire as expected over hurdles and bids to finally make a mark under Townend while My Sister Sarah is a consistent sort which will run her race as usual.

A trio of UK raiders add intrigue in the shape of Harry Fry’s recent Newton Abbot winner Black Mischief as well as stablemate Litterale Ci and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Pagero but this €80,000 prize can stay at home.

The lightly raced Visionarian has won three of his six career starts and there could be further improvement to come after his Down Royal success as the Cheltenham and Aintree-winning combination of Peter Fahey and Kevin Sexton combine once again.

Verdict: Visionarian can get the job done off a handy weight.

6.05 Guinness Beginners Chase 2m 2f 54yds

Emmet Mullins has landed two of the last three renewals and nominates Russian Diamond this time around with the seven-year-old – winner of a bumper here two years ago – bidding to make it third-time lucky over the larger obstacles.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned Gloire D’athon landed his maiden hurdle at the fifth time of asking and is respected for the Henry de Bromhead team while the Willie Mullins-trained Grand Bornand is a decent hurdler on his chasing debut.

Busselton jumps off the page, though, for the red-hot O’Brien team despite being a maiden over hurdles.

The French recruit had smart juvenile hurdling form last season and makes his chasing debut while the four-year-old age allowance could tip the balance for JJ Slevin’s mount in receipt of 12lbs from his 10 rivals.

Verdict: Busselton can continue O’Brien’s profitable week.

6.40 Arthur Guinness Chase 2m 6f 111yds

This has been taken by some very smart sorts in recent years with The Storyteller and Yorkhill landing the last two renewals, but this edition is unlikely to have that same class.

Six of the nine declared runners contested the Galway Plate two days ago and a host of those are unlikely to race again so quickly with O’Brien’s Darasso (fifth) and Mullins’ Koshari (sixth) faring best on that occasion.

There may be just a handful of runners when these go to post so Fry’s Phoenix Way could dominate affairs. The eight-year-old struggled in both starts since making a winning chase debut at Warwick, but that was at Grade One level and this is a totally different kettle of fish and Aidan Coleman can steer him home in front.

Verdict: English raider Phoenix Way can score under Aidan Coleman.

7.10 Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase 2m 6f 111yds

As with any lucrative handicap chase, there are six JP McManus runners vying for the pot and finding the most likely winner is a tough task.

Cheltenham Festival winner Aramax is an interesting contender stepped up significantly in trip with Denise Foster’s charge never going beyond 2m2f before and the five-year-old has the class to be in the mix.

Stablemate The Big Lense landed the Midlands National at Kilbeggan on his last start and cannot be discounted, but the tentative vote goes to Willie Mullins’ classy mare Sapphire Lady with Townend in the plate on the cosy Punchestown winner.

Verdict: Townend can sparkle aboard Sapphire Lady.

7.45 Hop House 13 INH Flat Race 2m 150yds

Two of the last three renewals have been taken by Emmet Mullins and the high-flying Carlow trainer has a trio of runners today with The Gossiper, Lahinch Three and Sin A Bhfuil.

It’s a guessing game as to which will fare best between Down Royal winner The Gossiper, Kilbeggan debut scorer Lahinch Three and recent Bellewstown victor Sin A Bhfuil, but they may all face an uphill battle.

They must give weight away to all but one of their rivals in a hot bumper and his uncle Willie has the market leader in Ashroe Diamond, which cruised home on her debut at Wexford in May and will take some stopping under the trainer’s son Patrick.

Stablemate Dani Barcelona is another that merits a second look under Jody Townend having romped home on her debut at Clonmel last month, but Imperial Ruler could be the smart each-way play.

The four-year-old defeated a decent Willie Mullins’ sort when scoring on his career debut at Tipperary in May and the assistance of the brilliant Finian Maguire adds to the case of Dermot McLoughlin’s charge while Foster’s Gris Majeur is another player.

Verdict: Imperial Ruler (e/w) can make the frame at rewarding odds.