Ttebbob© Photo Healy Racing
Ttebbob bids to bounce back to winning ways when returning to Navan on Sunday for the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.
Jessica Harrington's charge proved electric around the Meath venue when running out facile winner in Grade Three company in December, but subsequently failed to fire when pulling up behind the brilliant Douvan at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Connections felt the relatively quick return to action was to blame for that disappointing display and his trainer is confident she has her seven-year-old back in top share for this weekend's intriguing Grade Two assignment against just two opponents.
"He seems to be back in very good form and I'm happy with him," said Harrington.
"Hopefully it's onwards and upwards with him now. He's had a nice break since Christmas.
"There are just the three runners but you never know as they can be very chancy races.
"We'll get Sunday out of the way before we look ahead."
Willie Mullins saddles both of Ttebbob's rivals.
Tell Us More, a highly-regarded novice hurdler last season, aims to build on his success at Gowran Park last time when he opened his account over fences.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding gave some cause for concern by jumping out to his left in the closing stages and connections are hoping he can raise his game on Sunday.
The champion trainer's son and assistant, Patrick, said: " It's a small field but it's an interesting race and if Ttebbob comes back to his early-season form he'll definitely be the one to beat.
"Tell Us More has been a bit disappointing overall. We thought he'd be well up to Grade One class.
"Hopefully fences and coming back in trip will be the making of him."
The four-miler at Cheltenham was nominated as a possible target for Tell Us More's stable companion Sambremont after his victory at Fairyhouse last month, but he drops back to a shade over two miles for this event under Ruby Walsh.
The progressive six-year-old is a full-brother to leading Gold Cup contender Djakadam.
"Sambremont needs to step up on what he's done so far. He is an improving horse, but you'd think he might be up against it on Sunday," said Mullins junior.
