Fahey excited for Gypsy Island return but warns she will come on for the run

Sunday: Naas and Limerick

The vast majority of Ireland's top novices are in action at Cheltenham next week, so Sunday's domestic action at Naas and Limerick has left the door open for others to shine in a trio of Grade 3 events.

All eyes will be on the return of high-class mare Gypsy Island in the 1m7½f Bar One Racing Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle (2.20) at Naas, having been absent since making her breakthrough over hurdles at Tipperary in May.

One of two in the race for owner JP McManus, who is also represented by the promising Slip Of The Tongue, Gypsy Island is likely to strip fitter for her first start in 311 days, according to Saturday's Imperial Cup-winning trainer Peter Fahey.

"It's great to get her back running again," he said. "I'm just hoping she can run respectably. She'll come on for the run."

Only three-quarters of a length separated Slip Of The Tongue and Deploy The Getaway when finishing 1-2 in a Listed event at Punchestown last month.

Slip Of The Tongue (near): jumped the last awkwardly before seeing off Deploy The Getaway at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Deploy The Getaway's trainer Willie Mullins said: "He has to turn around the form but I felt not everything went his way at Punchestown. He could reverse it here with the weights in his favour as we’re 4lb better off."

Highland Charge is another live contender for Gigginstown House Stud and Noel Meade, having toughed it out well to land a maiden hurdle over this course and distance a fortnight ago, while Gordon Elliott relies solely on unbeaten bumper and maiden hurdle winner Vina Ardanza.

"Highland Charge showed a good attitude to win there last time," said Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary. "He's probably more of a chasing type but while there's winter ground he'll continue to make hay."

Classy mare Jeremys Flame, Thurles beginners' chase scorer West Cork Wildway and Drinmore Novice Chase fourth Lifetime Ambition are the outstanding trio in the 2m4½f Bar One Racing Directors Plate Novice Chase (4.05).

Jeremys Flame: making her presence felt over fences this seasonCredit: Caroline Norris

Jessica Harrington said of the latter: "We've freshened Lifetime Ambition up since his last start. We're happy with him."

At Limerick, Mullins has won the 2m6f Irish Wire Products Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle (1.55) twice and looks to hold every chance of enhancing that statistic with recent course maiden hurdles winner Mi Lighthouse.

Mullins said: "She has stamina on both sides of her pedigree and I think there’ll be a big improvement for going up in trip. She’ll love the ground too. She has every chance."

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