John Ryan faces a big decision over whether to run stable star Foildubh in the Aon Handicap Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.
Winner of a valuable handicap at the Punchestown Festival under a cool ride from Paul Carberry, the eight-year-old finally had his moment in the spotlight.
He has faced some tough tasks this year in both the Irish and English Arkles, for which he had valid excuses in both, as well as showing up well in countless other big races.
"I just don't know whether to run him under top weight," said Ryan.
"He will have only run 10 days previously and it might be asking him too much but Paul Carberry is very keen that I run him, he's already told me Noel Meade will let him off his (Medical Card).
"He's in tremendous form but I'm just worried whether I'm asking him too much as he won't be running in handicaps next year.
"He's only eight and he didn't start running until he was five so there's more to come. I left him as long as I could.
"He scoped wrong at Cheltenham and in the Irish Arkle which have been his only two bad runs.
"I think he's got the class to win over two miles but Paul Carberry thinks he'll stay three. Paul also says because he's such a good jumper he might be a National horse. With that in mind I wouldn't want to blow his mark.
"He's 144 at the moment and he may be entered in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.
"It's a big decision. There's a lot of money on offer but we've got to think of next year, too."
