Sportsmaster tests the water at Grade One level for the first time in what promises to be an informative Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
All 12 declared runners are previous winners and the presence of British raiders Asaid, Countrywide Flame and Crafty Roberto adds further spice.
Sportsmaster only made it as far as the fourth on his hurdling debut at this track in December, but atoned for that mistake by winning readily at Naas.
Trainer Edward O'Grady said: "We were quite happy with him last time. It was his first race over hurdles in many respects as he was an early casualty first time out. I'm not sure what the race was like, though.
"They went no pace and it was a bit of a sprint finish, so although the second horse Hisaabaat gives us a bit of a form line, I'm not taking that form too literally. That said, I've been pleased with him and we'll learn a lot more about him on Sunday."
Punchestown Grade Three winner Ut De Sivola, trained by Willie Mullins, probably represents the pick of the home team, and the champion trainer also saddles the filly Gorgeous Sixty.
Countrywide Flame has already competed at the highest level, having chased home Hollow Tree in Chepstow's Finale Hurdle, and trainer John Quinn feels he deserves his trip to Ireland.
Quinn said: "He's in good form and we're very happy to be going there with him. I've had a look at the runners and it's a competitive race, but we feel he's got a chance.
"He should handle the ground all right as it will hardly be as soft as it was at Chepstow and he ran well there. We'll see how he gets on this weekend and then make a plan from there."
