Ivanovich Gorbatov© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien is keen to see how Ivanovich Gorbatov performs at Leopardstown on Saturday before committing to the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Although officially trained by the two-time champion Flat jockey's father Aidan, the master of Ballydoyle was keen to pass credit to his son after the four-year-old made a most impressive start to his jumping career at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting.
He is already the hot favourite for next month's juvenile championship at Prestbury Park and is odds-on to see off seven rivals when he steps up to Grade One level for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
"It's a big step up for him, obviously, but he was good in Leopardstown the last day," said O'Brien junior.
"He's been in good form since, so we'll see what happens before we think about Cheltenham.
"At the moment the ground isn't too bad, but I think we're forecast a bit of rain, so we'll see what happens. The ground was quite testing at Christmas and he handled that, but I think he'll be better on nicer ground."
Barry Geraghty is looking forward to getting back on board the JP McManus-owned youngster.
He said: "He did well at Leopardstown for his first run, he was well prepped, he knew his job. The ground was soft, he coped well with it but he felt like a horse that would appreciate a bit of nice ground as well.
"He travelled well and he stayed. The form has worked out well with the third (Lagostovegas) winning well at Naas since then so it looked like a good test. We'll have a better idea after this but he's definitely a right sort."
Best Kept Secret also runs for the O'Brien-McManus combination.
Ivanovich Gorbatov is reopposed by both Lagostovegas and the runner-up over the festive period, Let's Dance The latter is one of three runners for Willie Mullins, with the champion trainer also represented by Fairyhouse scorer Allblak Des Places and Footpad a dual winner at Gowran Park.
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to his father, said: "I thought Aidan and Joseph's horse was very impressive at Christmas. I know Joseph thinks a lot of him and he looks the standout performer in the division at the moment.
"We're probably up against him to beat him, but Ruby (Walsh) was quite keen to take him on again with Let's Dance, so he must think he has a chance of beating him. The other two are very well, but I think they need to improve to catch Aidan's horse."
Gavin Cromwell's Jer's Girl and the Colin Kidd-trained Rashaan, who were second and fifth respectively in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle in December, complete the field. Rashaan had previously won his first three starts over hurdles and his trainer is hoping he can bounce back.
He said: "He's definitely better than he showed at Christmas. There was nothing clinically wrong with him, but he didn't look right. The ground was very bad that day as well and he couldn't jump out of it."
