Carrying topweight of 11st 10lb on testing conditions will be a big ask of Southern Vic in tomorrow's €100,000 William Hill Troytown Chase at Navan but Ted Walsh's rising star looks up to the job.
The dour staying seven-year-old has won five of his seven starts over fences and significantly, is unbeaten in two races at three miles.
One of those was at Grade One level at Leopardstown last Christmas but Southern Vic also emphasised his versatility with a comeback success at Naas over an extended two miles.
Overall, his profile is that of a good young horse still on the up but he will have to be still improving to cope with 17 opponents, and perhaps more importantly, the concession of weight to some seasoned handicappers.
They include the Irish National winner Point Barrow, as well as dangerous bottomweights such as Jaquouille and No Half Session.
However, there has been a lot to like about Southern Vic in the last 12 months and he can reward Walsh's decision to bypass Newbury today and instead try and emulate his 2004 Troytown winner Jack High.
Ruby Walsh also looks to have a first rate chance in the Grade Three Bank Of Ireland Monksfield Hurdle on board Footy Facts who is trained near Kinsale in Co Cork by Robert Tyner.
The smart bumper horse was impressive over three miles at Cork on his last start and testing conditions should bring his undoubted stamina into play.
There will be more than normal interest in the two-mile maiden hurdle where Aran Concerto has his second start over flights. Noel Meade's highly rated youngster was very unlucky at Naas on his last start and a mistake-free round tomorrow should see him add to an earlier bumper victory.
Hearthstead Dream made his first start for Tony Martin a winning one when winning comfortably on the flat at Leopardstown under Pat Smullen. The ex-Dermot Weld-trained horse looks an interesting contender in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle.
Lounaos is another Leopardstown flat winner and Barry Geraghty looks a significant jockey booking for her jumping debut in the opener.
