Hidden Cyclone, Flemenstar and Carlingford Lough are all likely to return to action at the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase next month after enjoying varying degrees of success at Navan yesterday.
Hidden Cyclone kept on dourly to defeat Flemenstar en route to claiming the Forita Chase at the Co Meath course and will look to keep up his winning ways on 6 December.
Speaking after the win, trainer Shark Hanlon said: "He's going to improve from that run. He got to the front too soon but, in fairness to Brian [Hayes], they were all stopping around him.
"When he got to the front he did nothing, although the loose horse was a help.
"I'd say he'll go for the Durkan next. The big thing with him this year is that he's learned how to settle.
"Brian has done a great job on him at home, and I'm delighted for him. He rode him to win a bumper but hasn't ridden him over fences since."
Flemenstar will aim to secure his second John Durkan following his encouraging reappearance yesterday.
It has been almost three years since the 10-year-old ran out a brilliant all-the-way winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One and he has suffered his fair share of injury problems since.
However, there was a lot to like about his performance in finishing third in the Fortia after making at an error at the third-last.
It was his first run since being trained by owner Stephen Curran's son, Anthony, and connections are expecting him to improve plenty.
Curran senior said: "He was back to his old self and jumped well. He just got tired. He needed the run badly. He had a serious injury, we've just had to be patient with him, but it will pay off in the long run.
"All is well this morning, which is the main thing, and we know he's got plenty of ability still. He's not doing anything different to what he's always done.
"The John Durkan is the next step, all being well, and we'll go from there."
Meanwhile, Carlingford Lough returned to smaller obstacles at Navan, but was ultimately well beaten by Arctic Fire in the Lismullen Hurdle.
Trainer John Kiely expects his star to up his game when he returns to chasing.
"It was a nice race to start him back in, but they went very slow early on and then sprinted which didn't suit him," said Kiely.
"He'll go for the John Durkan next."
