Naas Preview: Nickname steps out of novice company for the first time at Naas tomorrow where the ex-French star will be the main attraction in the Tote Newlands Chase. Few horses made a bigger impression this season than when the Martin Brassil-trained seven-year-old won his first two starts over fences at Leopardstown.
The second of them was a monster performance as Nickname almost ran away with Conor O'Dwyer on desperate ground and still had 11 lengths in hand on Father Matt.
However, that effort looked to have taken its toll when the horse was pulled up before three out in the Arkle and not surprisingly, Brassil reported him to be "flat" afterwards.
The recovery mission begins this weekend in the Grade Two over the minimum trip and if Nickame's jumping is back to what it was then he will put some seasoned handicappers on the back foot.
That's a pretty big if to be chancing at short odds, though, and if Nickname is not back to his best then Green Belt Flyer might be a more viable alternative than the Robin Cook Memorial winner Sir Oj.
Of the entries for the Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Chase it's hard to escape the conclusion that Father Matt has an ideal opportunity to get the better of his old rival Kill Devil Hill.
The latter edged the Drinmore in December by a neck but Father Matt is 9lb better off now and comes here on the back of excellent performances behind The Railway Man and Nickname.
The third Grade Two contest on the card will see some Cheltenham festival outsiders try to earn the ticket to Britain in the Bar-One Johnstown Novices Hurdle.
Vic Venturi is a general 33 to 1 shot for the SunAlliance but has to concede weight all round, including 6lb to the promising five-year-old Wanango.
Tommy Stack's horse disappointed behind Mr Nosie at Christmas but that was on very bad ground and Wanango looks worth another chance around the track he won his maiden on.
Tony McCoy makes the trip from Britain and is on the interesting newcomer Get On Board in the opener while Pacolet is one to note in the following handicap hurdle.
Hairy Molly tries to follow up a course and distance success in the bumper and despite topweight doesn't look to have as hard a task as when third to Leading Run last time.
