Leopardstown Preview: Day One

Saturday's Bord na Mona with Nature Novice Chase is a top-class renewal and a worthy feature to highlight day one of this year's Christmas Festival at Leopardstown.

Sizing Europe is a leading Cheltenham contender and is unbeaten over fences, but so too is another former top hurdler in Osana, who looked much more assured when scoring at Navan most recently.

Throw into the mix the likes of Captain Cee Bee and Fosters Cross and the scene is set for a race which should determine the Arkle favourite.

Alaivan already features prominently in Cheltenham markets and is out to enhance his Triumph Hurdle credentials in the Inforthenight.ie Juvenile Hurdle.

The classy Flat recruit scored as he liked on his debut for Edward O'Grady at Gowran Park, but faces a much sterner examination from Fairyhouse principals Cross Appeal and Action Master.

Dermot Weld's Rite Of Passage makes his eagerly-awaited jumping debut in the Bord na Mona - Clean Air Maiden Hurdle, which gets proceedings under way at 12.10.

The master of Rosewell House could enjoy a good start to the meeting, because he saddles Universal Truth in the following Bord na Mona Clean Water 4-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Weld then sends Almolahek for the Bord na Mona Clean Energy Handicap Hurdle, but his inexperience may count against him as he crosses swords with seasoned performers such as Duers, Annie May and Dr Kildare in a big field.

Kranji hasn't been seen since winning the 2007 renewal of the paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Chase but has claims if fully wound up, while Weld's Elegant Concorde will be popular in the Irish Foal Levy INH Flat Race.

The Grade Two Guinness Greenmount Park Novice Chase takes centre stage at Limerick and Sports Line, who swerves the big Grade One at Leopardstown, has Coolcashin and River Liane to beat.