Yeah Man could set up a shot at the Randox Grand National when poised for a starring role in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.
One of two in the race - which will be live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1.30pm on Thursday - for Gavin Cromwell alongside Velvet Elvis, the eight-year-old was an encouraging third in the Troytown in November and has been kept fresh for this assignment ever since.
With an excellent record in staying contests, Yeah Man took part in the Irish Grand National last spring.
However, Cromwell is set to give him an entry for the English equivalent this year and his Thyestes display could determine if he heads back to Fairyhouse or crosses the Irish Sea to tackle Aintree's famous spruce in April.
"He ran well in the Troytown and seems in good form, we've targeted this for a while so hopefully he will run well," said Cromwell.
"The race looks tailor-made for him and the more rain that comes the better - I think there is some forecast and hopefully it arrives.
"We'd be looking for a run in a National at the end of the season. I would say he will have an entry for Aintree and he will either go for one or the other."
Last year's Punchestown Grand National Trial winner Where It All Began is the shortest in the betting from Gordon Elliott's sextet taking part, with his squad also including the talented Robcour-owned novice Shannon Royale.
Previous winner Coko Beach is one of three Gigginstown-owned contenders also trained by Elliott along with Will Do and Favori De Champdou.
Willie Mullins also possesses a strong hand, with Nick Rockett the choice of Paul Townend from five Closutton representatives.
Meanwhile, Sandor Clegane's display in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park could determine where his long-term targets lie this season.
Paul Nolan's eight-year-old battled gamely to finish fourth in the Grade One Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown on his last start following a return to hurdling in December.
The son of Fame And Glory was prominent before his challenge faded in the closing stages at Leopardstown, which has got Nolan debating whether to drop him in trip.
He remains at three miles for Thursday's Grade Two feature and the result will guide what the Toberona handler will do next.
"The last day he ran well," Nolan said. "When they turned in and straightened up coming up the last, there's no way you would have said he'd end up fourth because he seemed to travel well.
"The plan is to run in Gowran on Thursday and we will see what happens there, and we'd have to consider dropping him back in trip if he doesn't hit the line better there.
"We are going to let Thursday decide that (future plans) and there is always the option to go back over fences with him as well. We'll see where that takes us.
"We will see what happens on Thursday and if everything is OK, that might actually give us more of a sign of where we go for the rest of the season."
Mouse Morris is in a similar boat with Franciscan Rock, winner of his last two races.
Now rated 145, Morris says he will either be aiming at the Pertemps Final or the Stayers' Hurdle depending on how he performs.
"He promised a lot as a novice and ran well in some good graded races," said Morris.
"He's in a ball park now where we need to find out where to go and this race will tell us whether to go for the Pertemps or the Stayers' Hurdle, we'll learn a lot.
"It's quite an open division, there doesn't seem to be much coming out of the woodwork so we may as well find out. If you're not in you can't win, someone once said."
Hiddenvalley Lake, Asterion Forlonge, Buddy One and the returning Thedevilscoachman are among a 10-runner field.
Watch the Thyestes Chase on Thursday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
