Preview leopardstown 29th Dec

A pre-race parade from the great horse himself will make Leopardstown's Istabraq Festival Hurdle extra special for racegoers, and the contest should certainly live up to its Grade 1 billing.

Despite Hurricane Fly's absence, Willie Mullins holds outstanding claims with Thousand Stars, who comfortably accounted for the reopposing Oscars Well in the Morgiana last month.

The Real Article is expected to appreciate a return to two miles, while his Hatton's Grace conqueror Voler La Vedette is declared, although she will have to recover from Wednesday's exertions in the Christmas Hurdle.

Unaccompanied also represents the fairer sex, but she has a lot to prove at this sort of level, even though she looked better than ever at Naas and remains on an upward curve.

The Ballymaloe Country Relish Beginners Chase features the eagerly-awaited return of Hidden Cyclone, a hugely exciting novice hurdler last term who takes to fences for the first time.

Shark Hanlon's fine prospect faces stern competition from Shot From The Hip and the Mullins-trained Celtic Folklore.

The champion trainer will also harbour high hopes for Vesper Bell in the Ryans Event Cleaners Maiden Hurdle, while he is represented by The Midnight Club and Sweet My Lord in a hot renewal of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier).

The ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares Hurdle carries Grade 3 status and it looks significant that Ruby Walsh has been booked to partner Paul Nolan's Golden Sunbird.

She looks a shade vulnerable returning to timber, however, with Tommy Stack's Supreme Novices' Hurdle also-ran Magen's Star of considerable interest back on home soil.

The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase opens the seven-race card at 12.25 and Scavenger Lad could be the one to pick up the pieces if Glam Gerry and Noble Commander fail to fire.

Cheltenham sixth Mumbo Jumbo makes plenty of appeal for Mags Mullins in the concluding Thornton's Recycling INH Flat Race.