A fascinating early-season clash is on the cards at Punchestown on Thursday as Grade One-winning hurdlers Harchibald and Sizing Europe meet over fences in the Buck House Novice Chase.

Noel Meade's Harchibald may be rising 11 years of age but he showed last year in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle that when he gets his optimum conditions, he is still a force to be reckoned with.

He is set to make his chasing debut in the Grade Three contest.

Sizing Europe may have had his problems since winning the AIG Champion Hurdle in 2008, but he looked a huge prospect over the bigger obstacles when making a winning debut at Punchestown back in May for Henry de Bromhead.

Adding spice to the mix is Dermot Weld's Bobs Pride, an easy winner at Galway last time out.

Coolpotts, Gundagai Sarteano and Tipolino complete the seven-runner field.