Bobbyjo remains 12-1 favourite with Irish bookmaker Cashmans to repeat last year's Martell Grand National triumph after competing over hurdles at Leopardstown today.
Although only fifth to the 9-1 winner Chase The Lightnin in the two-and-a-half-mile Harcourt Handicap Hurdle, Bobbyjo showed plenty of enthusiasm before being outpaced and beaten a total of 15 lengths.
"Bobbyjo should be tuned up now for Aintree as he was about 90 per cent ready and a racecourse spin is all we need now," said trainer Tommy Carberry.
Bobbyjo led early and was close up until he was unable to quicken from the second-last in the hands of Philip Carberry, younger brother of regular rider Paul.
"Philip got a good blow into the horse, which you can do on this decent ground. We're looking forward to Liverpool and I expect Paul to be back fully fit long before then," Carberry snr added.
Papillon also showed plenty of life in the contest for another father and son team, Ted and Ruby Walsh, finishing well five lengths back in third.
"Papillon is in both the Irish Grand National and the Martell Grand National and it depends what his American owner Betty Moran wants him to run in although I don't think she's too keen on Aintree," said the trainer.
Ruby Walsh continued his splendid strike rate since returning from almost six months out of action through injury as he recorded a double to share the riding honours with Carberry.
Champion jockey Ruby and his father teamed up with Bushman's River (13-2) to floor odds-on favourite Champagne Native in the Careysfort Hurdle.
And the rider doubled up on Killultagh Storm who defeated favourite China Tealeaf in the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle qualifier.
Not to be outdone, Carberry showed he is a star of the future as he scored over fences on both the 7-2 joint-favourite Tyndarius in the Silchester Handicap Chase and Beeper's Gale (9-1) in the Kilgobbin Beginners Chase.
