Tony McCoy will partner leading Cheltenham hope Justified for the first time at Newbury on Wednesday in the Pheasant Inn Novices' Chase.
The champion jockey takes the ride aboard Dusty Sheehy's Irish raider as the seven-year-old continues his build-up to the Festival in which he will more likely run in the Arkle Chase. He also holds an entry in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
"The horse is in great form, he's travelling over today and he could not be any better," said Sheehy.
"Tony McCoy will ride him tomorrow as we're thinking long term. We want to see what Tony thinks of him and where we are towards Cheltenham."
Justified came to grief at the first fence in a Grade One event at
Leopardstown last time, but Sheehy felt there were excuses for that fall.
The gelding had won his two previous starts over fences and
Sheehy felt he let his concentration slip in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase.
There was a screen at the back of the hurdle and he just took his eye off the fence - he just got a little bit distracted," the County Kilkenny trainer explained.
"He'd been foot-perfect before that though and hopefully he can continue that tomorrow. It looks a decent race but if he's as good as we think he is, we have nothing to worry about.
heehy is also targeting the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 29, before heading to Cheltenham in March.
"The plan is to go for the Irish Arkle after tomorrow then, all being well, it will be on to Cheltenham," he added.
