Mags Mullins expects Champion Bumper runner-up Debuchet to improve for the run as he makes his eagerly-awaited hurdling debut at Leopardstown.
An impressive winner at the Foxrock venue at the end of January, the four-year-old grey found only the ill-fated Fayonagh too strong at the Cheltenham Festival in March and rounded off his campaign with a Listed success at Limerick.
His seasonal reappearance and hurdling bow has been delayed following a minor wind operation and he faces 23 rivals in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle which opens Leopardstown's four-day Christmas Festival.
Mullins said: "He seems in good order and we're very happy with him, but whatever he does I'm sure he'll improve from it.
"He is a little bit behind. It (wind operation) didn't hold him up too much, it just put him back a little bit.
"He's ready to start and Leopardstown always do a good job with the ground, so fingers crossed he'll run well."
Debuchet's opponents include Noel Meade's Cask Mate, who has finished second twice over hurdles already, Gordon Elliott's Cork runner-up Manamite and French recruit Antey, who makes his Irish debut for Willie Mullins in the colours of Rich Ricci.