Willie Mullins could barely split Long Dog and Bachasson ahead of the Royal Bond and the situation has not changed before the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Ruby Walsh picked Long Dog at Fairyhouse - as he has again - and his decision was vindicated, but only by a neck as Bachasson flew home having not looked happy early on.
"I just wasn't sure why Bachasson wasn't enjoying it for the first mile and three-quarters, he only got down to race for the last quarter-mile," said Mullins, for whom Paul Townend rides Bachasson.
"Was it the ground, was it the fact he didn't enjoy being behind other horses, does he need further in that company? The French people who had him say he wants soft ground. I'm wondering if he's a summer horse or that he wants two and a half. We might make more use of him next time.
"Long Dog has already won over further, but it's just the way the races have worked out for him."
Colm O'Connell, part-owner of Bachasson with his father Eddie, believes there are reasons to think he may turn the tables on his stablemate.
"To this day we don't know why he took no interest early on. If he hated the ground he must be some horse to nearly win a Grade One," said O'Conn ell.
"Long Dog will be tough to beat again and people should remember he's a year older than our lad and I hope there's not much in it again.
"He handled the ground, but I don't think he loves it. What I think happened was that day it was really windy and it was the first time he'd encountered those sort of conditions. He maybe just threw the toys out of the pram.
"The dream is still alive for us, to come from Sligo in the summer to a Grade One at Leopardstown at Christmas is amazing. He's obviously more than just a summer jumper."
Mullins also runs Bleu Et Rouge and Petit Mouchoir.
Jessica Harrington's Woodland Opera created a good imrpession when winning on his hurdling debut at Navan, but this represents a different challenge.
Robbie Power is in the saddle, and he told At The Races: "He's been improving along at home, we were a bit unsure whether he'd need the run at Navan, but he took a blow and still won and seems to have come on.
"It rode like a good maiden hurdle, but he's going to be taking on Long Dog and Bachasson, first and second in the Royal Bond.
"He seems in good form and we're very happy with him at home and he'll put up a good show. He's a horse we've liked from day one, he's out of a fantastic mare (Opera Hat) who won over fences so hopefully he'll come into his own over them."
In a classy renewal, Gordon Elliott's Tombstone should not be overlooked. He did not come out of second gear in beating Mullins' Pylonthepressure, once very highly rated.
"He looked class at Fairyhouse and was very good. I liked the way he went clear from the last," said Elliott.
The Alan Fleming-trained Tully East jumps in class after winning a handicap hurdle at Punchestown.
Fleming said: " It's a big step up for him, for sure. He won the handicap in Punchestown well and we've been very happy with him since, so we're happy to let him take his chance."