'We're working back from the Gold Cup - he's a massive horse and lightly raced, so we hope there's more improvement to come'

With a huge team to go to war with, Henry de Bromhead looks well set for another excellent season and a first domestic century of winners looks within his grasp.

The age profile looks good as well – not many veterans and a core of really good young horses who are well on the road to proving themselves – but the heavy hitters from last season are mostly back again, including top-class hurdler Bob Olinger, King George hope Envoi Allen and recent Naas winner Quilixios. Plans for Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness are on hold after another possible episode of atrial fibrillation occurred at Navan on Saturday.

The novices will form the backbone of the Knockeen team this season. Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel and fellow Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Inthepocket will headline a particularly strong bunch of novice chasers, while the novice hurdlers include several highly promising bumper winners from last season such as Forty Coats and Withabitofluk.