Djakadam goes for back-to-back victories in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.
Willie Mullins' class act made a successful reappearance in this Grade One 12 months ago before going on to occupy the runner-up berth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year running.
Ruby Walsh has resisted the temptation of heading to Cork to partner Douvan in order to stick with Djakadam, who is joined in the line-up by stable companion Black Hercules, who was last seen landing the JLT in March.
Former Mullins inmate Outlander has an opportunity to atone for his last-fence fall in the Clonmel Oil Chase, but Bryan Cooper has opted instead to ride Sub Lieutenant, who beat Outlander at Down Royal.
Alelchi Inois benefited from Outlander's mishap at Clonmel and is a third string to Mullins' bow.
The champion trainer unleashes the exciting American Tom in the Alan Lillingston Memorial Beginners Chase.
The French recruit was successful in a Gowran novice hurdle in November of last year on his only previous Irish outing and is expected to come into his own in this sphere.
The action gets under way at 12.25 with the Ladies Free Admission On New Years Eve Rated Novice Hurdle, in which Lion In His Heart and Conrad Hastings combine to give Henry de Bromhead a strong hand.
The Jessie Harrington-trained New To This Town was a big disappointment in the Champion Bumper last term and could only manage third on his jumping bow, but he steps up to two and a half miles in the Buy Your 2017 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle.
Luckyinmilan was in fine fettle when last seen and returns to action on a hat-trick mission in the Follow Us On Facebook And Twitter Handicap Hurdle, and Whatareudoingtome faces a similar scenario in the 3 For 2 Festival Tickets At punchestown.com Handicap Chase.
