Vautour is the star of the show on day one of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
So good as a novice hurdler, Willie Mullins' French import made a seamless transition to fences with a classy display at Navan last month and is immediately stepped back up to Grade One company for the Racing Post Novice Chase.
He had Clarcam eight lengths adrift at Navan so a bigger danger comes in the shape of Noel Meade's Chancol, who is two from two over the larger obstacles and claimed the Craddockstown on his most recent appearance.
Vautour's stablemate Kalkir rocketed to the top of the Triumph Hurdle betting when getting his Irish career off to a flyer in a Fairyhouse Grade Three and it will take a brave punter to oppose him in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.
Although 11 are willing to take him on in the Grade Two contest, no less than seven of them were left trailing in his wake last time so he should be up to defying his penalty.
Joshua Lane may not have managed to get his head in front in the NH Flat arena, but he made the frame in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham so is the one to beat in the Thornton's Recycling Maiden Hurdle, granted a safe round of jumping.
The opening Bewleys Hotels Maiden Hurdle at 12.15 should be an informative contest and another of Mullins' Gallic recruits Alvisio Ville will need to be above average to make an impact.
Spacious Sky was an improved staying handicapper on the level this year and reverts to this winter code on a very attractive mark in the Cardinal Capital Handicap Hurdle.
Jacksonslady attempts to repeat her victory of two years ago in the Racing Post All You Need For Irish Racing Handicap Chase, while Mullins' newcomer Easy Street carries the Magnier colours in the Donohue Marquees INH Flat Race.
Vautour set to impress at Leopardstown
