Racing:Henry de Bromhead's Arkle winner Sizing Europe will face 10 rivals as he tackles more experienced horses in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.
The eight-year-old is unbeaten over fences since making his debut in May, and held on in determined fashion at Cheltenham as Somersby closed him down close home.
His handler has taken the bold move of stepping him up to face the best two-milers in the business, rather than keep him to novice company.
Among the high-class opposition is Tom Cooper's Forpadydeplasterer, second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and again at Aintree over two and a half miles.
He also won last year's Arkle, his only victory in his last nine starts which have yielded eight second-place finishes.
Paul Nicholls runs Twist Magic, winner of the Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler Chase this season and also successful in this contest in 2008.
The other British raiders are Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King, an early casualty at Aintree having finished third in the Queen Mother, and the Nick Williams-trained Cornas.
Willie Mullins runs three - Barker, Scotsirish and Golden Silver - while James Lambe is responsible for 2008 runner-up Natal, a former Nicholls inmate.
Gordon Elliott lets Salford City take his chance, with Colm Murphy relying upon Don't Be Bitin in the absence of Big Zeb.
De Bromhead admits Sizing Europe is taking on the big boys one race earlier than he had anticipated, but both he and the owners, Alan and Ann Potts, are keen to have a crack.
"I suppose we are taking on the older ones one race early than if we waited until next season but we did the same thing with his first run over fences too," said De Bromhead.
"He had that run in May so he's used to doing things earlier than the normal protocol.
"All three of us are really keen to see him take on the best and we are really looking forward to it and hope he puts up another good account of himself.
"The sun is still shining here in Waterford and there is no prospect of rain, but they've put plenty of water on the ground to make sure it is safe and I'm sure it will be.
"He loves good ground anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue."
Forpadydeplasterer has one last chance to get a win on the board this season in tomorrow's big race, having finished second on all five of his starts this term.
Barry Geraghty, the man who partnered him to victory in last season's Arkle Trophy, is back in the saddle having ridden against him the last twice.
"Hopefully tomorrow will be his day," said Cooper.
"There is no suggestion at all that he is anything but genuine but he keeps finding one too good.
"He's come out of Aintree absolutely bouncing so while he hasn't had that long to recover, he's telling me he's ready.
"Barry's back on tomorrow, but Davy (Russell) and Tony (McCoy) have done nothing wrong on him the last twice, he's an uncomplicated ride."
Murphy reports Kalahari King to be none the worse for his Aintree fall. The West Witton handler said: "He's fine, not a bother on him.
"I'm delighted to see a field, actually, so there should be plenty of pace which will suit.
"We don't want a muddling race."
Conditions at Punchestown are similar to when Twist Magic was successful in 2008, and part-owner Barry Fulton is hoping to see lightning strike twice.
The eight-year-old gelding will be ridden by Grand National-winning jockey Tony McCoy.
"The ground should be ideal for him but there are a lot more runners than I thought there would be," said Fulton.
"I expected Sizing Europe to go for the novice and Kalahari King to go to Sandown, but it's a Grade One so it was never going to be easy.
"As usual he did nothing at Cheltenham but he was still going OK when he made a bad mistake and Robert Thornton pulled him up when he couldn't win.
"He's very fresh and very well and looks better than he ever has done at this time of year.
"It is more competitive than I expected, but it is quite open as a result of Big Zeb not there.
"We think he's a better horse now than he was two years ago when he won it."
With the travel chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud over the UK affecting so many, Fulton has taken matters into his own hands.
"Hopefully I'll be travelling over by helicopter," he added.
Denis O'Regan, who is looking to forge some new connections having lost his retainer with Graham Wylie, rides Natal, second two years ago, for James Lambe.
"It's a very hot race," said O'Regan.
"I've only ridden him the once but I won on him at Galway last summer.
"Barry Geraghty rode him last time and he ran a real good race behind Tranquil Sea. This is a massive step up in class but you never know."
Colm Murphy admits Don't Be Bitin has plenty on his plate, but is happy with the nine-year-old following his third to Golden Silver at Fairyhouse two weeks ago.
"It would be great if he could sneak a bit of prize-money," said the County Wexford trainer.
"He's in great order and he's come out of his last race really well."
Elliott is another trainer who would be happy to collect some of the cash on offer with Salford City.
"He's been a great servant for us and has won plenty of races," the County Meath handler told At The Races.
"He had a setback last year and ran over a trip too short at Dundalk a couple of weeks ago.
"He's in the Grade One and hopefully he'll pick up a bit of prize-money."