Still claiming a valuable 3lb, the conditional produced probably the recovery of the season to cling on to Rigadin De Beauchene after a terrible mistake at Newbury and still manage to finish third, while he went on to find a vital half a length more than Godsmejudge in a driving finish in the Classic Chase at Warwick.

“His jumping wasn’t too good at Newbury that day, but, touch-wood, he’s usually a very good jumper,” said Dunne.

“He just loses concentration during races sometimes, and you’ve got to keep at him. He has shown he handles testing conditions and he proved his stamina at Warwick. Let’s hope he’ll be good enough.”

Dunne, from Garristown, in a rural part of Fingal, did not actually sit on a horse until he was 14 and his only link with racing was through an uncle who trained a handful of horses.

While establishing himself has been tough for this late-starter, he is determined to make his mark.

“I came over a couple of years ago and getting the rides is the hardest bit,” he said. “I ride out for Venetia Williams, Andrew Price and just about everyone I can. It’s hard going, but hopefully Saturday will provide a good bit of publicity.”