In Compliance will put his reputation as a credible candidate for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on the line at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Michael O'Brien's up-and-coming performer will take on a host of Ireland's top stayers in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase, including John Smith's Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde.

In Compliance has won both of his starts during the winter, first at Down Royal and then when taking the huge scalp of War Of Attrition in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

However, he has not been seen since that race on December 10th, is yet to race over trips further than around two and a half miles and missed a start in the recent Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup when O'Brien reported he was not happy with the horse's fitness.

"Fairyhouse is the plan," said Herve Barjot, racing manager to owner Seán Mulryan. "The race is over three miles and a furlong, and we won it with Forget The Past last year. It will be a good preparation and if he stays, then we know we can go for the Gold Cup."

The Martin Brassil-trained Numbersixvalverde will have his first start over fences since his famous victory at Aintree last April, while other interesting possibles at the five-day stage include fellow National hopes Dun Doire, Point Barrow and Garvivonnian, as well as the smart novice Chelsea Harbour.

Noel Meade is "pretty certain" the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle will be Aran Concerto's target at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old - very much a rising star for his Co Meath handler - is a strong favourite at a best-priced 5 to 2 for that race over two mile and five furlongs.

He also holds an entry in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle over a shorter distance, for which he can be backed at 8 to 1.

"I think it's pretty certain the Ballymore Properties is the race we are going to go for, but I will leave him in the Supreme Novices' as well," said Meade who reported Aran Concerto to be in tip-top shape following his impressive victory in the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown earlier this month.

"He's come out of the race great," confirmed Meade.

Jazz Messenger may make an audacious bid for the most valuable jumps race in the world even though he has yet to tackle a fence at home or in public. Meade believes the seven-year-old could be the right type of horse for the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan on April 14th as long as he shows no ill-effects from his intended next start, the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

"He could well go to Japan. I've been over there before and I think you need a hurdler for that race," said the trainer. "I've not schooled him over fences but over there they are hedges and such like. He jumps hurdles very big, but we'll see how he gets on at Cheltenham first.

"I think he'll get the call to go if we're happy enough to go with him." Jazz Messenger, winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, disappointed when only fifth to Hardy Eustace in the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on his latest outing. He is generally available at 33 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle on March 13th.

Edward O'Grady will take the wraps of a potentially interesting French recruit in the shape of Medicinal at Punchestown tomorrow.

Nearly Group-class on the Flat when trained by Dermot Weld three years ago, he was also a winner over hurdles for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.

Medicinal holds several engagements at the Cheltenham Festival, but will have his first start for O'Grady in either the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle or the Irish National Hunt Festival Novice Hurdle.

Herve Barjot said: "He's running on Wednesday. He was a decent horse in France and on the Flat and we need to run him to see if he's the type to be running in Ireland and, maybe, England."