Black Hercules© Photo Healy Racing
Black Hercules bids to make it three from three over fences in the Grade Two Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan on Sunday.
Willie Mullins' charge was a smart novice hurdler last season and has impressed on both his starts over the larger obstacles this term.
He opened his account with the minimum of fuss at Navan in December before following up in style in a Listed contest at Warwick last month and currently heads ante-post lists for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham next month.
The trainer's son and assistant, Patrick, said: " Black Hercules has won at the track and three miles suits him well.
"It's a competitive race and it will be another good test for him, but we're hoping for a big run.
"He's only had the two runs over fences so it will be good to get some more experience into him before Cheltenham."
Black Hercules also holds entries in the RSA Chase and the JLT Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park, but Mullins junior hopes to convince his father to run in the longer National Hunt Chase, where he would likely take the ride.
He said: " Nothing has been confirmed for Cheltenham - he is in the RSA as well - but I'll be sweet talking Willie as much as I can to run in the four miler!"
The master of Closutton also runs last-time-out Punchestown winners Measureofmydreams and Pleasant Company.
Mullins said: " The other two are solid horses and they'll both love the trip.
"On their overall form they have to improve, but if anything goes wrong with the top horses they might be there to pick up the pieces."
Noel Meade turns Monksland out again quickly after a big run to chase home Outlander in Grade One company at Leopardstown last weekend.
The Beneficial gelding stuck on well to claim the runner-up spot in the Flogas Novice Chase and Meade feels stepping back up in trip will suit his charge.
"It's maybe a bit quick but we felt that he seemed in such great shape this week that there was no harm letting him take his chance," said Meade.
"The three miles will suit him well. He ran very well last week and if he produces that form again he should be thereabouts."
The National Hunt Chase is the number one objective for Colin Bowe's stable star Shantou Flyer, who runs for the first time since finishing fifth in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in late November.
"He was off for a month to five weeks and came back in on January 1st," said Bowe.
"He'll have a couple of cobwebs to blow away but he's in good form and we've plenty done with him.
"He hasn't had to work hard since his last run though and this will be a nice prep run for Cheltenham.
"The four-miler is the number one target and the clock is ticking. If he didn't run now we might possibly have struggled.
"I was hoping we might get a bit nicer ground but it is what it is. He handles most but he's better on a bit nicer ground."
Gordon Elliott's Noble Endeavor steps up in grade following a Boxing Day triumph at Down Royal, while the Sandra Hughes-trained pair of Sub Lieutenant and Wrath Of Titans complete the field.
Hughes said: " Sub Lieutenant ran very well the last day and we're looking forward to see how he goes.
"The ground won't be ideal for either of them, but they'll both be suited by the three miles and we'll see how we get on."
