Groody Hill, right, at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Christy Roche believes Groody Hill is coming back to form at the right time as he bids for a second victory in the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday.
It is three years since the JP McManus-owned gelding struck gold in the prestigious 100,000 euro contest, with injury setbacks limiting him to just five subsequent starts.
He looked a shadow of his former self when returning from a near-two-year absence at the start of 2014, but he made the most of his favourable handicap mark over hurdles when making a winning return to action at Fairyhouse at the start of the month and Roche hopes that will have teed him up perfectly.
"He had a nice run in Fairyhouse and he surprised us a bit that day. That run was all about getting him fit, so it was a nice surprise that he managed to win," said the trainer.
"He's had a good few problems over the past couple of years and lost his way a little bit, but we think we've got him back on form now, hopefully. He seems in very good form and well in himself and we know the ground, the track and the trip suit him well, so there are a lot of positives.
"I don't think many horses will have won the Troytown twice, but fingers crossed he goes there with a big chance."
Groody Hill is one of four horses set to carry the McManus silks, with Nearly Nama'd, Like Your Style and Colbert Station also in contention for the leading owner.
In-form trainer Noel Meade has a similarly strong hand, with Munster National third Bose Ikard joined by three stable companions.
Meade said: "I'm not sure about the ground, but Benemeade, Bose Ikard and Thomond all run, along with Pandorama.
"Pandorama will love the ground, but whether he's good enough now is another thing. Thomond is in great form at the moment."
Shane Broderick's Black Benny got back on the winning trail in a thrilling race at Galway last month and connections believe he is in even better shape now.
Broderick's assistant, Gary Parsons, said: "He's in good form, but the ground would be a bit of a concern. If it stays yielding to soft I'm sure he'd handle it, but he wouldn't want it too heavy, so fingers crossed the weather doesn't get too bad.
"He was only 80 per cent in Galway the last day and we think he's come on a good bit for the run. This race has been the plan for a while and it's just a shame the ground might not be ideal, but we'll give it our best shot."
Gordon Elliott is triple-handed, with Chicago Grey, Vasco Du Mee and Balbriggan, while Tony Martin saddles Living Next Door and Wrong Turn.
Subtle Ben is an outsider for Liz Doyle and the trainer is keeping her fingers crossed ground conditions do not deteriorate.
She said: "He won his beginners in Limerick but was under the weather for his first race of the season at Cork. I'm hoping he can step up from that back in a handicap.
"He's a real stayer, a good jumper and, touch-wood, Noel O'Brien (handicapper) hasn't been too hard on him. The ground could be an issue as he wouldn't want it heavy."
