The triple-Derby winning jockey John Murtagh will make a late dash from Dubai this weekend and team up with his big Cheltenham hope Golden Cross at Navan.
Sunday's McCabe Builders Boyne Hurdle has just seven horses left in it after yesterday's forfeit stage and with Asian Maze set to run at Gowran on Saturday the way looks open for an ideal festival prep for Golden Cross.
The Michael Halford-trained star is as low as 7 to 1 with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle next month and could copper-fasten his position as the main Irish hope for the Stayers crown with a good performance at the weekend.
The one major uncertainty for the Halford team, however, will be the issue of stamina. Sunday will be the first time Golden Cross has raced beyond two and a half miles so even if the competition is not testing a lot of focus is being put on how the horse will cope with the distance.
"We're very hopeful three miles won't be a problem. He has such a relaxed way of going and he stays so well on the flat that we have to be. He also saw out the two and a half in the Hatton's Grace very well," Halford said yesterday.
"Florida Coast is in the race as well so we should get a tow along and Holy Orders is a good enough horse on his day," he added. "But we will be going on Johnny's feedback and what we see ourselves."
Golden Cross missed out on a three mile race at Leopardstown over Christmas and instead took his chance in the AIG when third to Brave Inca and Macs Joy. That was enough for Halford to concentrate more on the stayers race at the festival rather than the Champion Hurdle.
"Unless it comes up heavy at Cheltenham, which is very unlikely, then we won't consider the Champion. I just think over two miles he gets done for a little bit of toe and there are three very good horses at the top of the betting in the Champion.
"On paper the other race is not as competitive and we think he has a good chance of staying the trip and maybe even improving at it. It would have been nice to find out over Christmas because it would have allowed more time but we think he has plenty going for him. If he works okay and scopes right he will run on Sunday," Halford said.
The focus on Saturday will be on the Champion contenders in the Red Mills Trial at Gowran and yesterday there was sustained support for the AIG runner-up Macs Joy who is now an odds on favourite with Cashmans for his pre-festival clash with Hardy Eustace.
Macs Joy is now 4 to 5 after being backed in from 6 to 4 with the double champion Hardy Eustace lengthened to 5 to 2. Next best is Essex (5 to 1) with Asian Maze now a 7 to 1 shot.
A total of just eight horses remain in the Grade Two ladbrokes.com Flyingbolt Chase at Navan but they include the Leopardstown Arkle runner-up Arteea who is a 14 to 1 shot with the sponsors for the Cheltenham version.
Willie Mullins has entered both Homer Wells and Mr Babbage for the Ten Up Chase on the same card and the three-mile contest could also see Augherskea run as well as the Troytown winner Prince Of Tara.
An 8am inspection this morning will be carried out at Clonmel to see if the chase track can be used at tomorrow's scheduled meeting. The chase course was unraceable yesterday.
There are no problems for Fairyhouse today where heavy ground means the premium will be on stamina and fitness.
As a result the chances of Whatdoyouthinkmac look good in the mares bumper. This one ran over the course and distance just 11 days ago and did well to finish runner-up to Sorrentina.
Emperor Titus has topweight in the first handicap hurdle but put in a good run behind Supreme Justice last time and should be a major contender.
The second handicap should see Aghacashel Angel with a shout on the back of fine effort here last month until falling behind The Black Mouse.
Castle Hope has ground to make up on Zaffran Lady from Navan last month but has since won well at Cork and look on the up.
Cashmans bet on Red Mills: 4-5 Macs Joy, 5-2 Hardy Eustace, 5 Essex, 7 Asian Maze, 20 Escrea, Ground Ball & Sky's The Limit, 40 McGruders Cross, 100 Tolpuddle.
