OPERATION HOUDINI came up just short of winning last year's Troytown Chase, but trainer Davy Fitzgerald hopes the in-form star can make amends in the Navan feature this Sunday.
Notre Pere's subsequent exploits last season indicated what a tough task Operation Houdini had against him in the 2008 renewal of the €85,000 highlight, but he still failed by only a length to the Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup winner.
Operation Houdini is on target for compensation this weekend, along with 27 other entries who were left in the Troytown after yesterday's forfeit stage.
That entry includes 2007 winner Royal County Star, Munster National victor Treacle and a quartet from Willie Mullins, including Beroni, who has been raised 18lb in the ratings for his success at Galway last month.
However, nothing will go into the race in better form than Operation Houdini, who followed up his own Galway chase victory with a sauntering success off a very favourable mark over hurdles at Navan 10 days ago.
"I wasn't surprised he won off his mark but I was surprised he jumped as well as he did," Fitzgerald said yesterday. "He ran three times over hurdles last season and his jumping let him down. It was the same over fences. He was at Notre Pere's girths jumping the last fence last year but by the time he landed he was two or three strides off him.
"It was unfortunate he ran into a very good horse that day. I know he was getting a lot of weight from him, but we were a long clear of the others.
"If he jumps well, we would be hopeful, and he did gain confidence at Galway when he had a nice spin under Ruby (Walsh)," the Co Limerick trainer added.
Niall "Slippers" Madden rode Operation Houdini to his last win at Navan but no firm riding plans for Sunday have been drawn up yet.
Ground conditions at Navan yesterday were heavy, but a close eye is being kept on the weather ahead of Sunday's fixture which also includes the Grade Two Monksfield Novice Hurdle.
Just eight entries remain in the Monksfield over two-and-a-half miles, headed by Judge Roy Bean, who was successful in a Grade Three at the track 10 days ago.
Glennfinn chasing in Clonmel
TODAY'S GRADE Two feature at Clonmel can see back-to-back wins for Glenfinn Captain as the JP McManus runner is back for the Clonmel Oil Chase. He faces five others, including two Grade One winners, but he still looks the best option after a strong run over hurdles at Thurles.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh will be keen to give Fionnegas a second start over jumps in the novice hurdle after an impressive display at Ballinrobe last May.
Walsh is on board Moskova in the Grade Three Mares Chase, but the 12lb she concedes to Here Comes Sally looks too much.
