Great Field and Jody McGarvey are clear jumping the last at Thurles© Photo Healy Racing
One of this season's most exciting horses away from the big meetings has been Great Field and the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old gets his chance at the top level in the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown on Thursday.
The JP McManus-owned gelding produced a remarkable performance to stretch his unbeaten record over fences to three in the inaugural running of the Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase at Thurles last month.
Having made all at Gowran Park and Leopardstown, Jody McGarvey sent Great Field straight into the lead again and he extended it to such a margin that he was almost a fence clear heading down the back for the final time.
He gave his supporters a big fright when making a howler at the second-last, but McGarvey sat tight - as he had needed to in spectacular fashion at Leopardstown - and allowed his mount to coast home at his leisure.
McGarvey keeps the ride, and said: "I'm hoping he's the one they've all got to beat and I'm very much looking forward to riding him."
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, admitted: "He has looked very exciting. He misses the odd fence which he might not be able to do round here, but up to now he's been brilliant. He's in good form."
Mullins said: "Great Field is unbeaten in three starts for us over fences and he just keeps on improving. Hopefully he'll keep going that way.
"We always thought he was a top-class horse, he was just disappointing at Cheltenham last year.
"The better ground should be to his liking."
McManus is also represented by Enda Bolger's Ballyoisin, who has either won or fallen of late, most recently the latter at Navan.
Berry said: "He's been a bit in and out, but on his day he's not a bad horse. It looks like he's coming into a bit of form. We're hoping for a clear round and a good run."
In addition to Great Field, Mullins can call on prolific mare Listen Dear and Townshend, while trainers' title rival Gordon Elliott saddles Ball D'Arc and A Toi Phil.
Ordinary World takes his chance for Henry de Bromhead having run a big race to be third to Altior in the Arkle at Cheltenham.
