Terence O’Brien is out to once again upset the big guns with Answer To Kayf in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.

The veteran stayed on strongly to land the Troytown at Navan in November and will now try to add further riches in another of Ireland’s prestigious long-distance handicaps.

“He is lightly raced. The Troytown was a career-best, but you’d like to think he could have improved from that,” the Carrigtwohill, Co Cork trainer noted.

“He has gone up the handicap, but he’s been fantastic for us and anything he does would be a bonus now. If he runs his race, he will be one of the ones to beat.”

Answer To Kayf is disputing favouritism with Robert Tyner’s Better Days Ahead, who could appropriately named if remaining unbeaten this term after a pair of Fairyhouse wins prior to Christmas.

Owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He’s been lucky for us so far and he’s probably up a bit again in grade and it’s a good race.

“Robert is really happy with him and he goes there in good form, whether he is good enough or not we wait and see.

“Stamina is his asset and he stays really well and he won’t mind the soft ground.”

Gordon Elliott runs three in a bid to win the race for the third time – Search For Glory along with Pied Piper and Shecouldbeanything.

“Search For Glory has been second in two big handicaps, the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown the last time, and he might be best suited of ours even if he has crept a little up the handicap,” Elliott said.

“In these races, I think it’s more which horse handles the conditions best on the day.”

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins saddles five in a race he has won four times in the last 10 years and 12 months ago with subsequent Grand National hero Nick Rockett.

Paul Townend has plucked for Captain Cody from the Closutton quintet, with High Class Hero, Quai De Bourbon, Shanbally Kid and Spanish Harlem the other Mullins contenders.

Betway ambassador Townend explained his decision by saying: “In such a stamina test I’ve gone for Captain Cody. He’s got two runs under his belt already this season – including a brilliant run when third in the Drinmore, over a trip way too short for him.

“His run at Leopardstown over Christmas wasn’t too bad either. This extended three miles will definitely suit him, although horses towards the top of the weights might find it tougher on this ground. It’s going to be a slog of a race. We’ve had a lot of rain, and it’s forecast to keep raining.”

Queally confident

Declan Queally is confident Rocky’s Diamond will put up a staunch defence of his crown in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle on the same card.

The six-year-old was a decisive winner of the Grade 2 contest 12 months ago and went on to finish fourth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Following a spell over fences, Rocky’s Diamond made a disappointing return to the smaller obstacles at Leopardstown last month, but his trainer and amateur rider is expecting him to bounce back with the headgear that was applied that day removed.

“Putting the visors on at Christmas was a bit of a mess to be honest, I don’t think he enjoyed them at all. He ran on his nerves, he didn’t stay like he can stay and didn’t jump like he can jump either,” said Queally.

“I’m looking forward to running him on Thursday on proper soft ground, he likes those conditions and he likes the track – he’s won there twice before.

“You can just draw a line through his run in Leopardstown and we’ll see a different horse on Thursday, I think.”

The Co Waterford handler also saddles consistent mare Mozzies Sister, who has only once finished out of the first three places in 14 career starts.

Queally added: “She’s a decent mare and the syndicate that own her are looking forward to a good day out.

“She’s very versatile and never runs a bad race. She’s got plenty of black type and we’re hoping we can nick another bit.”

Staffordshire Knot steps up in class after landing a Punchestown handicap hurdle and a conditions race at Clonmel, while his trainer Gordon Elliott also runs five-time Grade 1-winning chaser Gerri Colombe, who switches back to the smaller obstacles after being pulled up in the Savills Chase over the festive period.

Joseph O’Brien will be hoping Home By The Lee will strip fitter for his comeback fourth behind star stayer Teahupoo at Leopardstown, with the Mouse Morris-trained Franciscan Rock and Lantry Lady from Henry de Bromhead’s yard completing the line-up.