Three-time Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever stands as a giant obstacle in the way of Lough Derg picking up more Order Of Merit points in tomorrow's John Smith´s Great Float Social Club Liverpool Hurdle.
David Pipe's Lough Derg was one of 11 declared for the Grade Two event and his surprising but brilliant run has seen him stand just two points adrift of Kauto Star in the race for the €250,000 season-long competition.
However, he was only 13th behind the Howard Johnson-trained Inglis Drever at Cheltenham, for which there have been no excuses.
Rider Tom Scudamore said: "He was disappointing but has often bounced back from a poor run straight away.
"I don't really know why, but it was the second time he's run badly around Cheltenham and that's strange for one who has won there three times before that in his career.
"I sat on him at Pond House this week and however much he runs, he still feels like he's improving.
"Kauto Star's race on Thursday has cut up, so it's a bit disappointing about the Order Of Merit, but such is life.
"We have a decent each-way chance, but with Inglis Drever and Blazing Bailey in there blinkered for the first time, it's going to be very tough."
Pertemps Final winner Ballyfitz provides further Cheltenham Festival form, while Chief Dan George, Faasel, Flight Leader, Kicks For Free, Kawagino, Millennium Royal and another Pipe runner Gaspara complete the line-up.