Death Duty© Photo Healy Racing
High-class hurdler Death Duty continues his education over fences in the Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Gordon Elliott's charge won his first four starts over the smaller obstacles last season, before unseating Bryan Cooper at the final flight when favourite for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
He made a successful start to his chasing career at Tipperary at the start of the month and steps up to Grade Three level on Thursday.
Elliott said: "He's coming back in trip, but I just thought it would be a nice race to fit in and then go to the Drinmore, all being well.
"He's just been tipping away since Tipperary, and is in good form."
Death Duty faces four rivals over two and a quarter miles, with owners Gigginstown House Stud also fielding the four-year-old Tout Est Permis, an impressive winner on his fencing bow at Gowran Park.
Henry de Bromhead, who has claimed this prize with Sizing Europe (2009), Loosen My Load (2010) and Three Stars (2016) in recent years, is represented by Three Wise Men.
Liam Kenny's hat-trick seeker A Rated and Woodland Opera from Jessica Harrington's stable complete the line-up.
