Gaze down the historic Thyestes Chase winning roll and you won't find too many novice winners of the race, but Over The Furze looks a reasonable bet to overturn the trend.
Today's Cuisine de France sponsored feature looks a little out of the ordinary anyway. Only eight times in the race's 57-year history has there been a smaller field than today's declared nine, and once again there is a welcome British interest in the shape of Luzcadou.
British-trained runners had notable Thyestes success in the 1990s with three victories, Couldn't Be Better in 1997, Zeta's Lad in 1993 and Mweenish in 1990, but Micky Hammond's visitor may have his work cut out to add to that tally.
Last year's winner off 11-7, Micko's Dream shoulders topweight this time, and although hardly a hark back to the Thyestes glory days of Arkle (1964) and Flyingbolt (1966), he does represent a welcome injection of quality to the race.
Bob Treacy, who carried 12st to success in 1999, also figures, as does this season's shock paddypower.com Chase victor, Call Me Dara. However, Over The Furze can successfully cement his trainer John Berry's own connection with the race.
Berry's uncle, Padge, trained Bannow Rambler to Thyestes success 24 years ago, and while Over The Furze may not be quite in that horse's class, he does have a number of other important qualities.
None more so than his love of testing conditions, which are sure to prevail today. Gowran's three miles takes more getting than most and when others are crying enough, Over The Furze should be starting to relish it.
The small field is also a plus factor considering his novice status, and he also comes here on the back of a career-best performance when landing the Grade Three Neville & Sons Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
For a £65,000 pot it clearly won't be easy for Over The Furze, however. Hold-up tactics paid off in spades for Micko's Dream in the Leopardstown Chase and the new approach makes 12st on soft ground not insurmountable.
Call Me Dara was a revelation on December 27th and her West Cork trainer Robert Tyner put it down mainly to competition for the lead, which sharpened her jumping. This small field may not be as suitable.
In contrast, it looks a plus for Over The Furze, who can pick up the most valuable prize of his career.
Charlie Swan's mount in the conditions hurdle, Bunratty Castle, was a 25-length winner at Cork and should be hard to beat; while it should also pay to side Fonthill in the Carey's Cottage Handicap Chase.
Pat Fahy's horse won over two miles of the course last time and before that was a surprise bumper winner at Thurles.
The opening maiden hurdle is a competitive-looking contest, Frances Crowley and Dermot Weld saddling prominent contenders and the smart ex-Jim Bolger flat runner Creidim having a first start over flights. Preference, however, is for Edward O'Grady's Vatirisk, who put in a very encouraging performance behind Benovia over Christmas.
