The first major chunk of Leopardstown's £800,000 Christmas purse goes to the winner of the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase and the first major winner of the festival should be Moscow Flyer.
The Grade One race has a history of throwing up high-class winners such as Danoli (1996) and Klairon Davis (1994) and this year's likely favourite looks well up to such company.
Istabraq was the only hurdler in Ireland last season to eclipse Moscow Flyer and even then Jessica Harrington's admirable horse only had to sense one chink in the champ's armour to take advantage.
However, it is over fences that Moscow Flyer's future has always ultimately lain and after two morale-boosting victories at Down Royal and Punchestown, he faces his most serious test to date.
In preparation, Moscow Flyer was schooled by his big-race jockey Barry Geraghty on Friday and it only confirmed the lesson was learned from a shock fall on his debut at Fairyhouse.
"I am very happy with him," Harrington confirmed yesterday, although she was not inclined to too much public confidence.
"I suppose he should be hard to beat but if Youlneverwalkalone does every thing right, he will be a danger," she said.
Youlneverwalkalone is some thing of a dark horse having been beaten by Topacio on his chasing debut, but he still brings some Grade One-winning hurdles form to the party and he comes from a yard that traditionally thrives at this fixture.
Colonel Yeager's hurdles form ties in with both Youlneverwalkalone and Moscow Flyer, but the Cathal Ryan-owned horse is conceding in experience, having been unfortunately brought down early on at Naas.
That leaves the tough four-year- old Golden Storm, complete with weight allowance, as a possible threat, but Moscow Flyer can continue to impress on his way to the Arkle at Cheltenham in March.
The supporting feature is the Denny Juvenile Hurdle, where Hyderabad bids to build again on the good impression made when sluicing up by 12 lengths from Revitalize at Thurles.
Apart from Knife Edge (1998) and Grimes (1996), this race is not particularly useful in identifying the top three hurdler in the country but it's possible that Pasteur could change that.
Significantly, Paul Carberry has passed up on the chance to ride Florida Pearl in the King George to remain at home and Pasteur's three wins, at Listowel, Tralee and Tramore, indicate an animal on the upgrade.
Carberry could also be on the mark in the maiden hurdle with Woodys Deep Ocean, who should be able to improve from a Fairyhouse bumper third to Kickham.
The JP McManus colours are always regular visitors to the Leopardstown Christmas winner's enclosure and it may well be the turn of Tidjani in the handicap chase.
Now with Christy Roche, this hardy performer has been raised 10lb for an easy defeat of River Cora over two miles at Fairyhouse last time.
Tidjani was impressive that day and the extra distance of Wednesday's race should hardly be a problem.
Roche and McManus also combine for the newcomer Sound As A Bell in the bumper and it will be intriguing to watch how the market unfolds.
The injury-prone but talented Our Bid looks the eye-catcher in the handicap hurdle.
The 10-year-old has an undoubted touch of class and should be spot on for this after a runner-up placing to Fruit Defendu at Cork.
