Wounded Warrior attempts to enhance Noel Meade's excellent record in the Ballymore Christmas Fair & Family Fun November Festival Beginners Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday.
The County Meath handler has won four of the last eight renewals of the race and will have high hopes for his five-year-old, who shaped with promise in his novice hurdling campaign.
However, he faces a serious test from Shanahan's Turn, who contested Grade One hurdles at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals and is another interesting chasing debutant.
Meade also sends Chancol and Festive Felon over fences for the first time in the Book New Years Eve Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase.
Winner of a maiden hurdle at this venue when last seen in February, the former shaped like a future chaser and could now come into his own in this sphere.
However, his stablemate also showed promise over timber and contested at Fairyhouse Grade Two on his last start.
Meade's best chance of the afternoon could come in the closing Thoroughbred County Flat Race courtesy of Virtuoso Rouge.
Although things didn't go to plan in a bumper at the festival here, it is his debut second in a NH Flat Race that has worked out well that suggests he could take all the beating on his reappearance.
The seven-race card gets underway at 1.05 with the Follow Us On Facebook & Twitter Maiden Hurdle, in which Wrath Of Titans bids to build on some decent hurdling efforts last season.
However, Mr Diablo was impressive when winning a bumper here in May and can put up plenty of resistance.
Drumacoo returns to jumping in the Go Racing In Kildare 2015 Maiden Hurdle following a Downpatrick bumper success, while Old Supporters is out to gain compensation for a couple of near-misses this month in the Punchestown Annual Membership 2015 Handicap Chase.
Stop Road Lad is also knocking on the door and could be let in when he lines up in the Panoramic Restaurant Package Handicap Hurdle.
Punchestown preview
