In short, that form could flatter him. He was put firmly in his place by Keen Leader at Haydock last month and, with Ferdy Murphy's horses still struggling for top form, Truckers Tavern will probably find at least one too good.
Next for the chop come Valley Henry and Sir Rembrandt.
Valley Henry was carrying the Standard Sport desk's Christmas money when he fell a mile out in the King George at Kempton last month.
It would come as no surprise to see him bounce back here - and it's worth having a saver on him just in case - but even his greatest fan would admit that he's become a shade frustrating.
There's nothing frustrating about Sir Rembrandt, who ran a heroic race to chase home Bindaree in the Welsh National.
Hedgehunter's easy win in Ireland yesterday franked the Chepstow form, but whether Robert Alner's gelding can bounce back from that gruelling battle to win on these terms is debateable.
Which leaves us with Therealbandit and Jair du Cochet.
The beleaguered Jacques Ricou will be under intense pressure to deliver on Jair du Cochet after a week which has seen the gelding's trainer Guillaume Macaire admitting that only stable loyalty has stopped him giving a top British-based rider the chance to shine on his stable star.
Don't be surprised if frontrunning forms part of the Ricou game plan after Jair du Cochet's wretched effort in the King George.
Such tactics could see the French raider back to his formidable best, but Therealbandit gets the vote in the belief that he could be capable of massive improvement. Seven months ago this gelding was plying his trade with precious little fanfare in novice hurdles on the summer jumping circuit at places like Newton Abbot and Stratford.
Seven weeks ago he hadn't even jumped a single fence in public, but two novice chase wins since have marked him out as one of the most exciting horses Pipe has had under his care in a long time. Critics will argue that the opposition in both those races was a world away from the battle hardened stars who lie in wait tomorrow.
They have a point, but Therealbandit jumped like a natural and powered up the hill on both occasions in the style of a horse who could be very good indeed.
Five past three is the off time for what should be a memorable contest.
Talk of the Gold Cup will be back on the agenda by quarter past and, with the handy bonus of a weight allowance from his main rivals, Therealbandit looks poised to be the centre of attention.
One of the more annoying aspects of being a punter in the lead-up to the Festival is that so few of the major Irish contests are deemed worthy of live television coverage.
A hop down to the betting shop is the order of the day if you want to see some of the Emerald Isle's best in action at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Kicking King is looking increasingly like a leading contender for the Arkle Chase and can state his case by winning the Baileys Arkle Challenge Cup.
The AIG Irish Champion Hurdle has a much trappier look. Flame Creek has a high cruising speed and could capitalise if it boils down to a sprint finish, but overall this looks a race in which stakes are best kept to a bare minimum.
