Panther Claw could bid for glory in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday after making a successful handicap debut at Punchestown last week.
Trainer Paul Nolan is considering running the seven-year-old fairly quickly in this valuable handicap over three miles and a furlong.
"Panther Claw is a dour stayer and looking at the way the forecast is, the ground is going to be very testing," said the County Wexford handler.
"He looks like a horse who wants four miles, but this race just might come a bit too soon for him. In a big race like this, there are times when you take a chance. If you are right you are a hero and if you're wrong, you're told you should not have run.
"We'll just see what happens. At the moment we are ticking him along. He's not done much because it was only a week or so ago since he ran and it was a dour test on heavy ground. It is coming a bit quick but at the end of the day, it is a big pot and you're a hero if you call it right."
Nolan intends to run his other entry Sweeney Tunes, who also carries the colours of Panther Claw's owners the Gigginstown House Stud.
"He has a stiff enough handicap mark for winning a beginners chase in Thurles and we'll see where we go with him. The plan will be for him to run," he said.
Twenty-seven horses remain in the Thyestes, with the weights headed by Call The Police. His trainer Willie Mullins is also responsible for three other possibles - ante-post favourite Bishopsfurze, Shakervilz and Sweet My Lord.
Conditions are certain to be testing, but clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: "Everything is perfectly OK. Obviously we have wintry conditions going right into Thursday, but the track is fit to race.
"The ground is very heavy and is pretty deep now like it has been everywhere else. I'd like it to be better than that, but I don't think it will be. We will monitor things between now and Thursday but at the moment things are fine, though the ground is testing."
19 June 2013
Perfect Annecdote at AscotGodolphin swoop for Libertarian
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleAl Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
17 June 2013
Magician set for Palace showdownCat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation