It would be one of the biggest shocks of the season if the brilliant Douvan does not keep his unbeaten record over fences intact in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Last season's stunning Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner has made an almost seamless transition to the chasing game and struck Grade One gold over fences for the first time in the Racing Post Novice Chase over this course and distance a month ago.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old faces just two opponents this weekend - including a horse who was 64 lengths behind him a month ago - and looks set to confirm his place as odds-on favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March.
Joe Chambers, racing manager to owner Rich Ricci, said: "It's a shame that the race has cut up a bit as only three have declared, but we are very hopeful. It's a chance for Ruby (Walsh) to get back on board and it is a Grade One race in its own right.
"We've been happy with him since his last run and we will be pleased if he can reproduce what he did over Christmas. He was a bit guessy at one or two that day, but he clearly has a big engine and if he puts in a clear round, he's got a good chance."
With Walsh at Kempton to partner Faugheen and Vautour and second rider Paul Townend injured, the trainer's son Patrick came in for the ride on Douvan on Boxing Day, but Walsh is looking forward to getting back on board this weekend.
He told Racing UK: "He worked well on Tuesday morning. He was very good at Christmas.
"Patrick was fairly happy all right, it was great for him. I don't think he's ridden that many two-mile novice chasers and when he got the chance he took it.
"I think he's been very good. He was very good at Navan and I thought he was brilliant at Leopardstown at Christmas, hopefully he'll be as good on Sunday and then all roads lead to the Arkle.
"He's a very exciting horse, we hope he is, he was great last year as a novice hurdler and has done nothing wrong this year."
The Alan Fleming-trained Velvet Maker was no match for Douvan last time out, but takes him on again due to a lack of alternatives.
Fleming said: "We don't have many options and the ground is against him again, but we need to get some runs in to give him some experience.
"With a clear round he'll be picking up some prize-money, at least."
The field is completed by Henry de Bromhead's Domesday Book, who steps up in grade after bolting up at Limerick on his second chase start.
His jockey Andrew Lynch said: "There's only three runners, there's plenty of prize-money on offer and it's worth a shot.
"Once you've won your beginners' (chase) in Ireland, you either go for a handicap or you take on the good horses.
"He (Domesday Book) should be third at worst in a Grade One, which will be good for his pedigree, so we'll see what happens.
"Douvan is obviously very good - he looks a class act - but you never know what can happen in these races."