Pires strives for back-to-back victories in the Kerry Foods Rated Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday.
Tony Martin's veteran hasn't been back in the winner's enclosure since his success of 12 months ago, but he acquitted himself well enough when sixth over fences at the Galway Festival.
He is rated 129 in this sphere, but his lower timber figure means he can compete in this 0-123 event, although his stable companion Cassells Rock, as well as Morga and Dai Bando, possess the highest eligible mark and Pires must concede weight to them all.
Martin calls upon the services of Ruby Walsh for Tudor City in the opening Molson Coors 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at 4.20.
The son of Yeats and Martin's high-class hurdler/Cambridgeshire winner She's Our Mare was no great shakes on the level, but did land a gamble at Galway and is sure to have his supporters again.
Gordon Elliott sends a strong team north and will have high hopes Miss North Light can break her duck in the Allied Bakeries Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The six-year-old is probably the one to beat if performing to her official figure of 101.
Mossy Island made it 12th-time lucky at Ballinrobe recently and attempts to follow up in the SHS Group Handicap Hurdle.
He has a 4lb rise to contend with as he crosses swords with fellow last-start scorer Rock On Rosie, who is burdened with top weight.
May Dullea must shoulder 11st 10lb in the SCA Group Handicap Hurdle, but she has held her form well since striking here back in June and should be on the premises once more.
Little Mitch tries to build on her Roscommon second in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle, while Cottersrock hit the crossbar at Kilbeggan and now tackles the Dale Farm INH Flat Race.
