Rarely have ground conditions for Leopardstown's Christmas festival appeared to be so good, and while that's bad news for last year's winner, Nickname, in the Grade One Dial-A-Bet Chase, it could mean that Mansony's versatility proves vital.
A second top-flight career success for last season's Kerrygold Champion Chase winner may contribute to a red-letter day for the Arthur Moore team, who will have been encouraged by the horse's return to action in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown earlier this month.
Mansony was the only one within hailing distance of The Listener on the turn-in that day, and, while not surprisingly fading in the straight, he still held on to second place.
Two miles off a fast pace on soft ground is probably ideal for the horse, but he has winning form on a decent surface too.
In contrast, there is no questioning Nickname's need for testing conditions. During a prolific 2006-07 season, Martin Brassil's ex-French star took full advantage of the winter mud to run up a valuable winning streak.
More of a stamina test will also suit In Compliance in a first start since April. Trainer Michael O'Brien has picked a shorter race rather than a three-mile event for the former Durkan winner's comeback and his class alone will make him a threat.
The 2004 winner Central House comes back for another crack at the two-mile feature, while last year's Durkan New Homes victor Shindlers Hunt is another well suited to the trip.
But Mansony looks best suited to the trip and the going.
Cork All Star can record an emotional success in the Grade Two Future Champions Novice Hurdle against a potentially star-studded field. The Cheltenham bumper winner's owner, Cathal Ryan, passed away recently and victory today would be a bitter-sweet moment for all concerned.
Cork All Star will relish the surface.
There are dangers in the highly rated Aranleigh and Forpadydeplasterer, while Dermot Weld throws the four-year-old Majestic Concorde into the mix.
But Cork All Star, on quick ground, should further advertise his claims for a successful Cheltenham return next March.
The three-mile handicap hurdle will still be a bit of a stamina slog but that will be no problem to Offshore Account, whose presence at the bottom of the weights will worry everything else in the race.
Noel Meade's Chateau d'Eau reverts to maiden class after a first start over flights behind Your Sum Man at Punchestown. Easier company and better ground should suit him perfectly. The champion trainer also looks set to have a major say in the bumper with Oscar Looby.
