It might be a stressful experience for his supporters but Medicinal can maintain his unbeaten record over fences by landing the novice chase at Galway this afternoon.

Edward O'Grady's grey is two from two over fences after following up an impressive Ballinrobe debut with a cheeky one-length defeat of Smugglers Song at Tipperary 12 days ago.

The JP McManus-owned runner-up is back for another crack at Medicinal today and in addition to having Tony McCoy on his back he will also have a 3lb swing at the weights.

Ordinarily that would be enough to make him a real danger to Medicinal but the bare form doesn't do justice to the cheek with which Andrew McNamara rode the winner at Tipperary.

It was only after jumping the last that he slipped out of cruise control and afterwards O'Grady suggested that leaving it as late as possible is the ideal way to ride the son of the top French sire Linamix.

McNamara's nerve will be tested a lot more on the longer run-in here but Medicinal has always had a touch of class and that ability to quicken can still give him the edge over Smugglers Song and Emotional Article who was balloted out of yesterday's Plate.

Another return bout between two fancied horses could highlight the following novice hurdle as the step up to two and a half miles can swing the form around in Scholars Mate's favour against Field Commander.

Michael Hourigan's topweight has been in sparkling form and has four lengths in hand of his rival from Killarney running last month.

A subsequent defeat of Quinmaster at Limerick was even more impressive by Field Commander but all that form is at two miles and Scholars Mate, winner at two and a half at Clonmel, can thrive more at the longer trip.

Pretty Demanding didn't cut much ice earlier in the week when only eighth behind another English-based runner in Sadlers Kingdom.

Mick Quinlan's horse is back for another crack at Ballybrit this evening in the mile-and-a-half handicap and Michael Kinane looks a significant booking.

Bay Boy was a beaten favourite here on Tuesday evening behind Hampshire over seven furlongs but this course winner should be better suited to the stiffer test in the mile handicap and looks worth another chance.

Reisk Superman's 120 rating makes him a standout in the Beginners Chase but he is hard to win with and Hardwick could be value to sweep up any leftovers.