Valseur Lido aims to cement his reputation as one of the best of his generation in Sunday's Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old has not been seen since he was a most impressive winner of the Drinmore Novice Chase in November, beating what looked a strong field without being unduly pressed.
Mullins also saddles Jarry D'Honneur and Adriana Des Mottes in a race that used to be run as the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase and has a rich heritage for finding Cheltenham winners.
"I think Valseur Lido has to run. I was very taken with his run in Fairyhouse and I think the further he goes in trip the better he will be. I'm sure his form will improve when he goes up in trip," said Mullins on At The Races.
"Jarry D'Honneur could be anything, I think he's going to improve hugely from his beginners' chase, he was a bit gross that day.
"I think he'll get better as the spring goes on, but my only worry is that as the spring goes on the ground will get quicker and I think he might prefer it soft."
Bryan Cooper rides Valseur Lido as he is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, and he has also been very impressed.
"He was the most impressive novice this year, if you take out Un De Sceuax, over that trip anyway," he said.
"He annihilated his rivals over that trip in the Drinmore in Fairyhouse and I suppose the fact he hasn't run since then means he has gone under the radar a bit, which is good in one sense as there can be a lot of pressure coming to the races.
"He doesn't have to improve to beat these again, but it's a Grade One and you can't take anything for granted.
"It would be great if he could go out and do the same as he did at Fairyhouse."
The Tullow Tank is on a retrieval mission having looked very good first time out before disappointing up in grade the last twice
His trainer Sandra Hughes said: "We feel he's back in good form again now so we're happy to let him run.
"He's been working well at home so I hope he shows it on the track.
"He's been below par a couple of times but first time out he looked a natural and we're hoping that he's back in that kind of form."
Noel Meade's Apache Stronghold chased home Valseur Lido in the Drinmore and was then second to Don Poli at Christmas.
"He's in good form and we're happy with how he's been going at home," said Meade.
"He's done nothing wrong so far and seems in good shape, so we'll go there and see what we can do."
He was seemingly outstayed by Don Poli in the three-mile Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and Meade is hoping this weekend's assignment will shed a little more light on his preferred trip.
The trainer said: "This is going to prove it, isn't it?"
Live coverage of Leopardstown's Hennessy meeting from 1400 on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player (Island of Ireland)
