Cheltenham hero set to return in race won by Envoi Allen, Samcro and Delta Work

Impressive Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner Vanillier is set to start over fences at Down Royal on Friday and trainer Gavin Cromwell is excited at what he might achieve.

The 2m3½f Tote Ten To Follow Beginners Chase (3.30) has been the launchpad for some of Irish racing's top chasers over the last decade and has been won by Grade 1 winners Envoi Allen, Samcro and Delta Work in the last three years.

Vanillier demolished his Cheltenham rivals by 11 lengths as a 14-1 chance in March, although he finished a well-beaten fourth behind Galopin Des Champs when attempting to back up at Punchestown the following month.

Cromwell said on Monday: "We're looking forward to it. Whatever he does on Friday he will hopefully improve on when he steps up in trip but we're happy to get him started off here.

"He's summered very well so fingers crossed he goes well. It was always the plan to go chasing with him."

Cromwell is also preparing for the return of last season's Stayers' Hurdle hero Flooring Porter, who will be back in action in Navan's Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle on November 7.

Flooring Porter: set for Navan returnCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Cromwell said: "He'll be running there at Navan in a couple of weeks. We'll start him there and head back to Leopardstown [for the Christmas Hurdle]."

Gordon Elliott has three entered against Vanillier in his pursuit of a sixth straight victory in the race, including Grand Paradis who has not been seen since winning a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Thurles in February.

Down Royal Friday: full card and entries

Also among Down Royal's Friday entries, the first of a two-day meeting headlined by the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on Saturday, is a potentially top-class meeting between three of last season's best juvenile hurdlers in the WKD Hurdle (2.20).

Rachael Blackmore celebrates on Quilixios after their Triumph Hurdle victoryCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Cheveley Park Stud's Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios and the Elliott-trained Zanahiyr, fourth at Cheltenham when sent off the 11-8 favourite, are pencilled in for their seasonal returns alongside shock 80-1 Fred Winter scorer Jeff Kidder.

The Noel Meade-trained star progressed serenely to Grade 1 company in April when downing Quilixios and Zanahiyr in Punchestown's Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

They help form eight entries for the Grade 2 over 2m1f with Teahupoo, who was second to Jeff Kidder at Fairyhouse on his last start, also in contention for Elliott.

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