SOME of the best two mile hurdlers in the country take centre stage in the Ryanair Hurdle where Willie Mullins holds a strong hand in his bid to win the race for the fourth year in succession.

The trainer is likely to supply the highest rated runner in the field in Arctic Fire who has consolidated the progress he made last term.

The Champion Hurdle runner-up has won both his starts this season and comes here off a deserved first win at the highest level which was achieved in stylish fashion in last month’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.

A succession of fine efforts against some of the luminaries of this division last season mean that Arctic Fire is now firmly established as a hurdler of the highest quality.

However, he may have to give best to stablemate Nichols Canyon who served up one of the biggest shocks of the last 12 months when upstaging Faugheen in the Morgiana Hurdle.

Nichols Canyon didn’t quite command the same level of adulation as some of his contemporaries last term but his record as a novice hurdler was almost flawless. He met with just one defeat in his completed starts last season and notched up an outstanding four wins in Grade 1 company.

That calibre of form indicated that he could develop into a Champion Hurdle horse and he more than reinforced that view on his comeback in making all the running to hand Faugheen the first defeat on his career.

It is not unfair to say that we didn’t see the best of Faugheen on that occasion but, similarly, there is surely more to come from Nichols Canyon after that comeback run. He looks capable of defying official ratings which leave him with 9lb to find against Arctic Fire.

The line up could be further enhanced by Windsor Park, who had Nichols Canyon back in third when winning at Cheltenham, and the promising Identity Thief. For his part Identity Thief started the season with a rating of 137 which left him way off this level of competition.

Since then though he has taken his form to an entirely new level as evidenced by his win by in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. He did especially well that day to overcome a last flight mistake and he must be considered a coming force at the top level over hurdles.

The Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

This can see No More Heroes extend his unbeaten sequence over fences. He has long looked one that would come into his own once he was sent chasing and his two efforts this term have more than confirmed that impression.

Last time out he was particularly impressive in the Drinmore Novice Chase where he showed a nice turn of foot to pick up off a slow pace while his jumping was absolutely superb. The step up to three miles can only serve to work in his favour and he is very much the one to beat in this division.

Fellow Gigginstown-owned runner Outlander would certainly be of interest having begun his chasing career with a defeat of Free Expression at Punchestown. Meanwhile the formerly high class staying hurdler Monksland is respected having given No More Heroes most to do in the Drinmore.

Willis EBF Mares Hurdle

(Grade 3)

This could see the high class Morning Run return to action after 11 months off the track. The classy daughter of King’s Theatre is unbeaten in six starts and has yet to be fully extended in three outings over timber.

A rating of 145 makes her one of the best mares around and expect her to defy her lengthy absence if she gets the chance to line up.