Racing:War Of Attrition and Beef Or Salmon will lock horns once again in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown tomorrow.
Mouse Morris' Cheltenham Gold Cup victor and Michael Hourigan's nine-time Grade One winner enjoyed a famous tussle in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase at Down Royal earlier this season, with Beef Or Salmon just getting the upper hand on the run-in.
Since that race in early November, Beef Or Salmon was not disgraced behind Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and then returned to winning ways over hurdles at Fairyhouse.
War Of Attrition contested the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown over two and a half miles but he found In Compliance too speedy on that occasion.
The Listener, who is trained by Robert Alner, represents British interests after finishing second to Star De Mohaison at Sandown on his reappearance.
Francois Doumen's L'Ami, placed in the Hennessy, King George and Gold Cup last season, will bid for his first victory since January 2005.
Back In Front, a high-class hurdler in his day for Edward O'Grady, bids to continue his progression over fences while Ted Walsh's Southern Vic, second to Celestial Wave over hurdles on his last start, completes the six-runner field.
War Of Attrition is following the same path to Cheltenham as last year, and he chased home Beef Or Salmon 12 months ago in this contest.
However, Morris has stated that he will not be flogged in ground that is softer than ideal.
"He's in good fettle but the ground is very wet - we had a lot of rain last night. We'll have to take our chance though," said Morris.
"We mapped a plan out for him at the start of the season and we'd like to stick to it. The main thing is that he comes back safe and sound.
"He just doesn't jump out of the sticky ground as well as some of the others. The feature of his Cheltenham win was his brilliant jumping, it's his strong point.
"He won't have a slog tomorrow though. If he wins it will be great, but he won't be flogged to win tomorrow. We will just keep our fingers crossed that he comes back safe."
Beef Or Salmon is going for a fourth victory in the race tomorrow and he even handed out a seven-length beating to triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate in 2004.
He is bidding to join Moscow Flyer on the list of recent chasing greats who have won 10 Grade One races over fences.
"He's in good form and he's very healthy," said Hourigan.
"He won very well over hurdles on his last start, probably easier than we would have expected him to, and you wouldn't think he was going to be 11 in a few days.
"This has been his race in recent seasons and if he can manage it again it would be fantastic. It would be great to see him win 10 Grade Ones.
"We've never shirked a challenge with him in his life and we are not shirking tomorrow."