Tracey Collins is relieved Captain Joy has made it back from injury to contest the Ladbrokes Fast-Track Qualifier at Dundalk on Friday.
The seven-year-old developed into a quality performer last season, winning twice at Dundalk before landing a qualifier at Lingfield.
He then went on to run with great credit in the All-Weather Mile Championships Final, in which he was beaten into third by Grey Mirage in a blanket finish.
After two runs on the turf in June, Captain Joy suffered an injury that at one point looked like ruling him out of the All-Weather Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday, but is back to full fitness in time for the Dundalk heat over a mile.
Captain Joy faces three rivals, including Aidan O'Brien's Bishan Bedi, who is officially rated just 4lb below the grey.
"At least he'll be in the first four!" joked Collins.
"He had a fairly major setback and I didn't think we'd have time to get him back in time for a qualifier, to be honest.
"My team have done a great job with him at home and it would be a big relief if he can win this.
"If he doesn't manage to win this one, then we'll travel with him and take him to England to try and get him qualified for the final.
"There's no doubt that on his day he's one of the best all-weather horses out there.
"It's a relief to get him back because at one stage we thought he had no chance this year."
The Damian English-trained Geological and Gavin Cromwell's Political Policy, a prolific winner of late, complete the field.