A Cheltenham Festival favourite, a King George hero and an exciting novice chaser - who could be running in Ireland this weekend?

Another terrific weekend of racing is in store in Ireland, with some informative Grade 2 contests at Navan and Cork, including the possible return of a Cheltenham Festival favourite. Here, we've picked out some of the possible stars on show. 

Majborough

2.50 Cork Sunday, Bar 1 Betting Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2)

While Il Etait Temps, L'Eau Du Sud and Jonbon fight it out in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase, the Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite is in line to make his comeback a day later.

The five-year-old was one of the top novice chasers last season for Willie Mullins, but suffered his only defeat of the campaign when third as the odds-on favourite in the Arkle won by Jango Baie following a crucial mistake two fences out.

Majborough: set for seasonal reappearanceCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He got back to winning ways at the Punchestown festival and charts a familiar course Mullins has used for his main Champion Chase hopes. Three-time Hilly Way winner Energumene took this in 2021 and 2022 before following up at Cheltenham.

Majborough is currently a top-priced 4-1 joint favourite for the Champion Chase alongside last season's winner Marine Nationale. He could face four rivals on Sunday, and his owner JP McManus's racing manager Frank Berry said he is tuned up for his return.

He said: "Willie is happy with him and he’s in good form, so we are looking forward to seeing him run. He had a mishap at Cheltenham, it was one of those things, but hopefully that is all put behind him. He was good at Punchestown."

Banbridge

2.50 Cork Sunday, Bar 1 Betting Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2)

Majborough will not be having it all his own way on Sunday, as last season's King George VI Chase winner could also make his return.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained nine-year-old was running a huge race behind Energumene in this last year before unseating his rider at the final fence. But he made up for that when taking the Boxing Day showpiece under Paul Townend.

Banbridge: King George heroCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He could follow a familiar path back to Kempton again, although he must bounce back from disappointing in both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups. The 2m½f trip might also not be his optimum now.

Energumene, not seen since his third in Sandown's Celebration Chase, recent Fortria Chase winner Found A Fifty, and Ad Caelum are the other three Hilly Way possibles.

Kargese 

1.40 Cork, Coolmore N.H Irish EBF Mares' Novice Chase (Grade 2)

There has been some uncertainty over whether Kargese will go over fences or not this season, but she could make her chasing debut this Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was a dual Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler and enjoyed a huge day last season when taking the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. She ended that campaign when third to State Man in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

Kargese: won the County HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

She could take on eight rivals in this 2m½f contest including Kala Conti, who lowered the colours of Jade De Grugy at the track last time.

Kalypso'chance

1.10 Navan Saturday, Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Gordon Elliott has a handful to pick from in this 2m 4f contest, but this Graded winner could be his main hope.

The five-year-old won his first two bumpers impressively and was sent off favourite for the Champion Bumper, but could only finish 11th to Bambino Fever, before being beaten 39 lengths by the same rival at Punchestown.

Another defeat, at odds of 1-5 at Down Royal, accompanied his hurdling debut, but he got his career back on track when taking the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle over Saturday's course and distance last month.

Elliott also has Classical Creek, Kovanis and Port Authority among the ten entries.

Kalypso'chance: off the mark over hurdlesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Read these next:

Can Jonbon bag a Tingle Creek hat-trick? Assessing the key contenders for Sandown's Saturday feature - plus Harry Wilson's advised play 

Becher Chase favourite Mr Vango aiming to provide Bradstock family with another famous win 

Sir Gino enters Champion Hurdle picture and installed as second favourite - but Nicky Henderson rules out retirement for Constitution Hill 

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