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Apple’s Jade features among a field of seven declared for the Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
The Gordon Elliot-trained mare was invincible in the first half of the season but now has to redeem herself after under-par runs at Cheltenham and Aintree.
The last two winners of this prize, Jessica Harrington’s Supasundae and the Willie Mullins-trained Wicklow Brave, bid for glory again.
Mullins also has Melon in the line-up on Friday – while Petit Mouchoir, from Henry de Bromhead’s stable, is the other Irish-based runner.
The two UK hopefuls are Nicky Henderson’s Buveur D’Air and the Tom George-trained Summerville Boy.
City Island is the headline act in the other Grade 1 on the Punchestown card, the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.
Martin Brassil’s star six-year-old will attempt to back up his victory in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival.
"City Island has been doing everything we wanted him to do ahead of the Punchestown Festival," Brassil reported. "He is a very versatile horse ground wise so I wouldn't be worried about any ground for him.
"It's great to get back and have a decent horse where you can be competitive in those races. You have to savour all those moments."
City Island takes on the might of the Mullins, responsible for five of his 11 rivals in Come To Me, Easy Game, Royal Rendezvous, Tornado Flyer and Eglantine Du Seuil.
Battloverdoyen is the sole Elliott runner – with Colin Tizzard’s Reserve Tank, surprise winner of the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, the only British entry.
Completing the list are Oliver McKiernan’s duo of All For Joy and Gallant John Joe, plus Mouse Morris’ Sams Profile and Dommage Pour Toi from the De Bromhead yard.
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