The Leopardstown Christmas Festival swings into action on St Stephen's Day and the highlight of day one is the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase.
Bog Warrior, so impressive in the Drinmore, drops back in trip and is joined by stablemate Gift Of Dgab in giving Gigginstown House Stud a strong hand.
The owners' exciting Sir Des Champs has been re-routed to Limerick, but champion trainer Willie Mullins is well represented courtesy of classy hurdler Blackstairmountain, who made an excellent start to his fencing career at Clonmel.
The United Arab Emirates Embassy Juvenile Hurdle carries Grade Two status and sees Sam Bass attempting to confirm his Fairyhouse superiority over His Excellency, One Cool Shabra and Burrenbridge Lodge.
The Dermot Weld-trained Celebrity Sevi brings quality Flat form to the table and another unknown quanity is the French import Pur Style, who gets a fillies allowance on her first outing for Edward O'Grady.
Marasonnien also kept good company in France and has been snapped up to join Mullins, for whom he makes his debut in the opening racingpost.com Maiden Hurdle at 12.20.
Mullins then lowers the sights of Royal Bond fourth Midnight Game for the United Arab Emirates Embassy 4YO Maiden Hurdle, and he also takes the wraps off Champagne Fever, who bids to justify his prominent position in the Champion Bumper betting when he starts off under rules in the Irish Foal Levy (C & G) INH Flat Race.
Donnas Palm doesn't look like hitting the same heights over fences as he did over the smaller obstacles, but he makes his handicap debut in the sphere off a comparatively lenient rating.
Peak Raider and Jigalo may be his chief threats in the Racing Post All You Need For Irish Racing Handicap Chase.
Askthemaster scored over fences at this meeting 12 months ago but has regressed since, yet still heads the weights for the Download The Free Racing Post App. Handicap Hurdle.