Moscow Flyer has his final preperations for Cheltenham at Punchestown tomorrow and while the bookmakers reckon he is home and hosed already his trainer's expectations are being kept resolutely in check.
Cashmans reaction to the six opponents thrown against Europe's highest rated chaser for tomorrow's Byrne Group Tied Cottage Chase was to make Moscow Flyer a 1 to 6 favourite. That makes him practically unbackable but it's hard to argue as the horse comes back to the contest which provided him with the warm-up for his 2003 Champion Chase victory.
This time there is even more confidence in him as Moscow Flyer booted the superstition of falling every four races into smithereens with a scintillating Tingle Creek victory that also just happened to provide him with a clear form edge on his main championship rivals Azertyuiop and Well Chief.
A scheduled start at Leopardstown over Christmas was scrapped after a slight mucus problem but missing that race makes tomorrow's event even more valuable. Those expecting a spectacular display, however, are likely to be disappointed.
"I expect he will be normal and only do as much as he wants to do," said Jessica Harrington yesterday.
"The great thing from our point of view is that there are six others in the race. I'm delighted about that as it will help with the way the race is run. He is in grand shape and the ground won't be a problem," she added.
The competitive element will be much more evident in the Grade Two novice hurdle which sees the Dermot Weld-trained Akshar have a second start over jumps.
The first, a narrow win over Ocras Mor at Leopardstown over Christmas, was enough to make Akshar a 10 to 1 second favourite in some books for the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham. Tomorrow's task, however, will be stiffer and there is also the prospect of testing conditions.
"I know it was heavy at Leopardstown but it was his class got him through. He won five times on firm ground on the flat after all," said Weld yesterday.
Ranged against now are experienced types such as Blazing Liss, whose own Christmas victory was hugely helped by Rockstown Boy's fatal fall at the third flight. The course winner, Justified, and Giolla De, who won at Navan last week are others to consider but Akshar's class might be enough.
Nothing like that class will be needed in the Grand National Trial over three and a half miles and with stamina rather than a change of gear being the main priority and Lincam should be in with a big shout.
Yet again a horse with a better final kick did for Charlie Swan's horse at Naas last week but once more the novice jumped and travelled really well and those are the qualities needed for this.
Rare Ouzel returns to the trip at which he won a Down Royal novice over Christmas and can win the second handicap chase while In Compliance can use his Leopardstown experience to win the maiden hurdle.