National Hunt Chase hero Corbetts Cross tasked with giving away plenty of weight on return at Wexford

Emmet Mullins landed the Listed 2m7f Michael Hickey Memorial Chase with Grand National winner Noble Yeats in 2022 and another of the stable's stars attempts to make a winning return in the contest as Corbetts Cross headlines this year's race.

The seven-year-old progressed into a top-class novice chaser last season, landing the National Hunt Chase in spectacular style when storming 17 lengths clear of Embassy Gardens under Derek O'Connor, then made an encouraging start to life in open company when beaten under three lengths into third at Aintree behind Gerri Colombe.

He has shown plenty of versatility, given he scored in Grade 2 company as a novice hurdler over two miles before excelling over staying distances as a novice chaser.

However, this is no easy task on his reappearance as he must concede more than a stone to Buddy One and Heart Wood, but Mullins reports him in good nick ahead of a big season.

"He's in good order and we're looking forward to getting the season going," he said. "It's a competitive race and we nearly have a double penalty, so it certainly won't be easy, but we have to start somewhere.

"Hopefully, the ground will be safe enough and we'll be monitoring that. If it is, he'll take his chance and it looks a good starting point for him for the campaign."

Buddy One has the benefit of a run after he made a promising start to life over fences at Galway this month, justifying 2-7 favouritism in cosy style.

Trained by Paul Gilligan, he developed into a consistent staying hurdler at the top level last season. After finishing fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle, he went two places better when runner-up to Strong Leader at Aintree, before putting in another admirable effort when fourth behind Teahupoo at Punchestown.

He had a nice introduction over fences at Galway and jumped with plenty of verve when beating Another Choice by seven and a half lengths. This is a much bigger task but fitness could count for a lot and he rates a significant danger to Corbetts Cross.

Heart Wood looked a Graded performer when winning a competitive handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival in February by 14 lengths, and confirmed that impression when a good third behind Inothewayurthinkin in Grade 1 company at Aintree.

He's one of the least exposed, after just the five starts for the Henry de Bromhead stable, and there should be plenty more to come from him this season, but this is a difficult test on his return.

Favori De Champdou was scratched from the Munster National last week due to quick ground and he is another who brings Graded form into the race after landing the Florida Pearl Novice Chase last season in excellent style. He has plenty of talent but the ground might prove a touch lively for him.

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