He may be a 50 to 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup outsider but Nick Dundee is sure to attract attention when he returns to action with a seemingly simple task at Cork tomorrow.
Ferbet Junior, the most dangerous of three declared opponents for the Buttevent to Doneraile Chase, is set to miss the race following a less than satisfactory scope yesterday morning.
The results came after declaration time but trainer Jessica Harrington confirmed: "The horse is just not right."
The fairytale script everyone hoped for Nick Dundee, that of the former star novice who cheated death returning to glory, rather petered out last season.
A four-race comeback ended up with an ignominious exit at Gowran last February and this time around a deliberately low-key approach is being taken.
"The aim is Mallow on Sunday. After that it will be a case of watch this space," trainer Edward O'Grady said yesterday.
"We think he is fit enough to run a very nice race. He has had two racecourse schools and we are very happy with him," he added.
Despite approaching his 10th birthday, tomorrow's contest will only be Nick Dundee's 12th career start and he has notched up six wins.
The last of those was at Navan last year when returning from the nightmare SunAlliance Chase experience in 1999. After that, was an encouraging third in the Ericsson but the wheels came off after that with a fall and that Gowran unseated rider.
It was enough to have Nick Dundee sent to England for a refresher course with the triple Olympic gold medallist, Australian three-day eventer Andrew Hoy and there will be many interested in the results .
Moscow Express has 12lb in hand of Knife Edge on official ratings but it's likely that the punters will rate the Grade Three Hilly Way Chase as being a much closer affair.
Knife Edge struggled home from Shannon Gale at Naas on his last start, after which trainer Michael O'Brien resolved to keep the JP McManus-owned runner busy. That Naas run should benefit last season's top novice but Moscow Express is the proven article.
Topacio led Youlneverwalkalone a merry dance on their chasing debuts at Fairyhouse and despite the presence of his stable companion, Mantles Prince, Topacio will still be a popular fancy to follow up.
Camden Tanner is rated 27lb higher than his first handicap success in the Tote Hurdle but still looks on the upgrade, while the trip in the novice hurdle should be ideal for Davenport Milenium.
