Youth set to get its chance after a year of rebuilding at Commonstown

It has been quite the couple of years for Jessica Harrington's booming dual-purpose operation, and 2018 has probably surpassed all expectations already with a Flat season dominated by the exploits of Alpha Centauri and the mighty filly's four Group 1 successes.

Over jumps it might bej a little bit more difficult to know what to expect, following a 2017-18 season that was a little more underwhelming than might have been expected a year ago, after the season-ending injury to Gold Cup winner Sizing John and the untimely death of budding star chaser Our Duke. Sizing John has had a wind procedure and will be working towards regaining his Gold Cup crown in March – and is looking magnificent.

Where the disappointment lay last season was obvious, but there was a horse to take up the slack in Supasundae, who was a dual Grade 1 winner at the unlikely trip of 2m with victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.