Trainer Michael O'Callaghan could barely contain his excitement after Blue De Vega's runaway victory at Naas last month and is looking forward to seeing him test his powers at a higher level in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
After an encouraging effort to finish third on his Dundalk debut, the talented youngster left his rivals trailing in his wake in County Kildare, with his trainer saying in the immediate aftermath: "He has a great attitude.
"He's very forward-going and loves his work.
"He's a lovely horse to have in the yard and he excites you in the morning - nothing can get him off the bridle at home."
The performance now looks even better after runner-up Tribal Beat, who renews rivalry in the Group Three, bolted up on his return to Naas last weekend.
O'Callaghan said: "He won well the last day and came out of that well.
"It's a step up but we're hoping for a big run."
Tribal Beat's trainer Jim Bolger also saddles Mimicking.
Aidan O'Brien, who has trained a record 10 previous winners of the race, saddles impressive Curragh winner Black Sea, Lieutenant General and Californiadreaming.
Agent Of Chaos is an interesting contender for Andrew Oliver having finished a close second in a red-hot maiden at the Curragh almost a month ago.
Oliver said: "It's quite a big step up for him from a maiden, but his form obviously looks very good.
"I had intended to run him in a maiden two weeks later at the Curragh, but unfortunately he was coughing on the morning of the race.
"Because of that he had to have an easier time for a couple of weeks and that lack of an intermediary run is a concern.
"In an ideal world he'd have won his maiden and then come here, so he might just need it a bit."
