John Egan believes that Norse Dancer can upset the big guns in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
The Irish-born rider has formed a good relationship with the David Elsworth-trained four-year-old, having partnered him on his last two outings.
After taking a Group Three race at Salisbury on his first ride on the son of Halling, the combination went down by just three-quarters of a length to Sulamani in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes at York last month.
"I'm really looking forward to it. His run at York was fantastic. I had to go when I did but if I'd have been taken along for another 50 yards I would have won. Frankie (Dettori) just got me with one swoop," Egan said.
"I said before York that he would run a real good race and I go to Ireland with a lot of confidence. Let's hope things pan out our way and I'm sure the race should be run to suit us. I think he'll like it round Leopardstown.
"It's always hard in those kind of races. When there's plenty of pace there's not too many hard-luck stories. I've ridden him three times now - twice in a race and once in work on the racecourse and I think we know each other quite well."
Norse Dancer is 20-1 with Ladbrokes for the Group One contest, who have Ascot's King George winner Doyen as the 5-4 favourite.
Other likely opponents include Irish Derby victor Grey Swallow, St James's Palace Stakes scorer Azamour and Rakti, winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
PA