Multiple Grade One-winning rider Andrew McNamara is excited at embarking on his new career as a trainer at Navan on Sunday.
The winning jockey in major races such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Irish Grand National, McNamara ended his days in the saddle on a high with victory on his final ride at Tramore in August.
Now he is determined to show his intent to make his mark as a trainer by having his first runner in one of the feature races on the card, the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle.
McNamara, who is based at Rathcolman in County Westmeath, will saddle Val De Ferbet in the Grade Two contest over two miles and five furlongs.
The French-bred seven-year-old won a Grade Two novice chase for Willie Mullins last season but was pulled up in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil on his final start for the champion trainer.
"He's a very exciting horse to get," said McNamara.
"Willie won two chases with him and he won in France before that. I've had him about two months.
"Training's keeping me busy. I have 11 horses in and they are a mixed lot of point-to-pointers and young horses. I've got about three who are ready to go.
"I believe in starting as you mean to go on.
"I've looked at the entries and they are surprisingly strong. He'll be up against it, but I'm looking forward to the weekend."
The 10 entries for the Boyne Hurdle include three from the Mullins camp - Bamako Moriviere, Dicosimo and Kalkir.
The Tony Martin-trained Dedigout and Sandra Hughes' Lieutenant Colonel are among others in the mix.