Mouse Morris is keeping his fingers crossed Rule The World can confirm the promise of his chasing debut as he steps up in grade for the Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas tomorrow.
A high-class staying hurdler last season for Gigginstown House Stud, the eight-year-old kicked off his career over fences at Fairyhouse in November and was only narrowly denied by Willie Mullins' mare Adriana Des Mottes, to whom he was conceding lumps of weight.
Morris has given his charge plenty of time to recover and is anticipating a bold show in this weekend's Grade Two event.
"It was a pleasing run in Fairyhouse the last day and you'd be hoping he'll come on for that," said Morris.
"We've just been waiting with him since then as he didn't come back in from his summer break until late. We didn't want to rush him.
"There were plenty of positives to take from his first run and hopefully he'll step up tomorrow" - Mouse Morris
"There were plenty of positives to take from his first run and hopefully he'll step up tomorrow, but it's not a walk in the park."
Rule The World faces four rivals over three miles, with Paul Fahey's Lots Of Memories setting the standard on chase form.
After opening his account in impressive fashion at Navan on his penultimate start, Lots Of Memories ran at Grade One level over Christmas and finished a creditable third behind Don Poli in the Topaz Novice Chase having made much of the running.
"Trying to make the running and doing the donkey work probably didn't suit last time," said Fahey.
"Rule The World seems a serious horse on his hurdles form. His first run over fences was quite nice but he'd have to move up from that to match his hurdles rating.
"If he matches his hurdles rating we're in trouble but if he doesn't we're in with every chance.
"Lots Of Memories won well over two miles and one (furlong) in Naas and the form of that race has worked out very strong, but he does stay three miles and I have no concern over the trip.
"He would prefer better ground but we have to take what is out there."
Mullins is represented by Val De Ferbet, a runaway winner at Fairyhouse last month.
Michael Hourigan's The Crafty Butcher and the Noel Meade-trained Wounded Warrior complete the field.
