Britain's Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, having already won two Grade 1 'chases in Ireland this season has a strong team among the initial accepters for the main races during the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Tatenen which is already the ante-post favourite for the Arkle Trophy in Cheltenham can lead the Nicholls runners into action in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase on St. Stephen's Day. This French import however could face stiff competition for the Grade 1 prize which Sky's the Limit won last year from the likes of hat-trick seeker Made In Taipan, Forpadydeplasterer and Cork All Star which may make his debut here over the larger obstacles.
The following afternoon's main events sponsored by Paddy Power will see the Hackett family's Natal lining up for the Dial-A-Bet Chase in which Nicholls could also be saddling Twist Magic if the ground is suitable.
In that scenario Twist Magic which landed the Grade 1 Kerrygold Champion Chase last April at Punchestown from Natal has a definite chance of turning up for the Grade 1 race that went to Mansony 12 months ago. Mansony figures strongly for Arthur Moore among the nine home-based probables for the Paddy Power promotion along with Big Zeb which is scheduled to make his seasonal return for the Colm Murphy stable. Also engaged here are Tom Taaffe's Cheltenham Festival winner Finger Onthe Pulse, former Cheltenham hero Newmill, Thyne Again and Scotsirish which came back to form at Cork last Sunday for Willie Mullins.
Nicholls has left Osako D'Airy among the 44 survivors thus far for the Paddy Power Chase, last year's winning trainer Tony Martin (Newbay Prop) choosing this time between Patsy Hall and Hold The Pin.
On Sunday December 28, it's the eagerly awaited Lexus Chase which Irish-bred Denman won convincingly last Christmas before going on to also land the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. This time Denman's record breaking trainer Paul Nicholls can rely on Neptune Collonges which was third in that Gold Cup before returning to Punchestown for a second successive Guinness Gold Cup triumph. The Listener which is a regular on the Irish scene at this stage will be one of the earliest arrivals from England for the Lexus Chase on behalf of rookie trainer Nick Mitchell. This proven pair at the highest level could be joined on the trip from England by Charlie Mann's Irish owned Air Force One, Exotic Dancer for Jonjo O'Neill and Cloudy Lane from Donald McCain's yard.
War Of Attrition is the highest rated on a mark of 163 of the eight home-based acceptors that includes Snowy Morning and Notre Pere which landed the Troytown Chase at Navan last time out. Notre Pere was the winner a year ago of the Knight Frank Novice Chase for Jim Dreaper's stable and Trafford Lad is the likely favourite for next week's renewal after his Grade 1 success at Fairyhouse.
Paul Nicholls may be tempted to saddle his Triumph Hurdle victor Celestial Halo for the Leopardstown Golf Centre promotion which may be next on the agenda also for Hardy Eustace and Harchibald. Sublimity is a likely starter as well according to his new trainer Robbie Hennessy after his narrow defeat to Punjabi in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Wetherby. Plenty of interest would also centre on Sizing Europe, runaway winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle over the course and distance, Won In The Dark and River Liane.
