Willie Mullins has admitted the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse tomorrow is "coming a bit quick" for Outlander as he aims to bounce back from his fall at last week's Cheltenham Festival.
Having completed a hat-trick of wins over fences in the Grade One Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown last month, the eight-year-old travelled to Prestbury Park as a major contender for the JLT Novices' Chase, but came to grief four fences from the finish.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding returns to action just 10 days later in the feature event at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday, with Bryan Cooper taking the ride once more.
Mullins said: "It's coming a bit quick, but we'll let him take his chance.
"He doesn't appear to have suffered any ill effects from the fall in Cheltenham.
"He was hampered at the start and I think he was well beaten when he came down, so we'll see what he can do."
Mullins also runs another Gigginstown representative in McKinley, the mount of Ruby Walsh, and the Paul Townend-ridden Vedettariat.
"McKinley unseated in Cheltenham. We're putting the blinkers on him to sharpen him up and hopefully they'll bring about a bit of improvement," the trainer added.
"Vedettariat looks like he could be outclassed, but better ground will suit him better and he could run into a place."
Gigginstown have a third string to their bow in the form of Gordon Elliott's Lord Scoundrel.
There are two challengers from Britain, with the Venetia Williams-trained Otago Trail joined by Kerry Lee's Kylemore Lough.
The latter has won his last four starts over fences and tests his powers at the highest level for the first time this weekend.
Barry Geraghty takes over in the saddle from the injured Jamie Moore.
Lee said: "It's great to be going into a race like this as the top-rated horse, but we have a lot of respect for Outlander.
"This is our horse's stiffest test to date, but he's won his last four and we're looking forward to having a go.
"Barry Geraghty is a very positive jockey booking, obviously. He's the super-sub.
"I've been in touch with Peter Roe (Fairyhouse racecourse manager) a number of times this week - I should think he's sick of me by now!
"There's some rain forecast and hopefully that will get into the ground."
Tony Martin's Blair Perrone and Sizing Platinum from Henry de Bromhead's stable complete an eight-strong field.
