TRAFFORD LAD is the banner name going into tomorrow's Grade One Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown but Siegemaster has some unfinished business with that horse and can gain some revenge.

Tom Doyle has kept the ride on Trafford Lad on whom he landed the Drinmore at Fairyhouse last month in a display that propelled him towards the top of the SunAlliance betting at Cheltenham.

It was a faultless display to beat Forpadydeplasterer like that, with only Tranquil Sea of the opposition looking to have an excuse.

It also maintained Trafford Lad's unbeaten record over fences but it is important to remember how Siegemaster started odds-on to beat him when they clashed at Punchestown last month.

The Dessie Hughes-trained seven-year-old had won his chasing debut by a distance and was expected to follow up, only for Davy Russell to report that the saddle had slipped and they eventually finished third.

Siegemaster was still only five lengths behind Trafford Lad and a trouble-free round tomorrow could see a more positive assessment of the two horse's abilities.

Edward O'Grady is on a fact-finding mission in the Grade Two Woodies Christmas Hurdle, where he gives Catch Me just a second career start at three miles.

The first came at last April's Punchestown Festival when the ex-German horse ran fifth to Blazing Bailey. However, that was hardly conclusive and O'Grady is keen to give Catch Me another try on the basis that this year's World Hurdle looks to have opened up.

Catch Me broke his Grade One duck in the Hatton's Grace last month and if he doesn't impress tomorrow then O'Grady could concentrate on getting the horse right for Aintree in April.

However, it is worth remembering he was able to get Sacundai to win both races earlier this decade so Catch Me's quality can get him through now.

Charles Byrnes is always a trainer to respect in handicaps and he gives Carthalawn a run in tomorrow's two-mile handicap hurdle after the seven-year-old sluiced home by six lengths on his last start at Cork. This classy sort is just 9lb higher for that and should be capable of making his presence felt again, while Diophas could be one to check out in the novice handicap hurdle.

Kempes was a promising enough fourth to Peplum in a race at Naas last February and that experience should help Kempes in the opening maiden hurdle.