Two of Willie Mullins' top novice chasers clash when Pont Alexandre and Roi Des Francs take each other on at Naas.
The Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase has been won by the likes of Quito De La Roque and Foxrock in recent seasons, and another decent name seems sure to be added to the roll of honour on Saturday.
Pont Alexandre was expected to land the 2013 Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival having won his first race for Mullins in Grade One company previously, but he could only finish third in Gloucestershire behind The New One.
After nearly two years off the track he returned to action at Punchestown and put up a flawless display.
Roi Des Francs finished third behind stablemate Killultagh Vic in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, but already looks like being a much better chaser, getting off the mark at the second attempt at Fairyhouse.
"It should be very interesting indeed and we'll get to see how they stack up," said Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father.
"With Pont Alexandre, sometimes the second run can be the bogey run after a long lay-off.
"We have, though, given him plenty of time to recover and obviously he was a very exciting prospect before he got injured.
"His performance on his first start back was exceptional and if he can back that up, that would be nice.
"Roi Des Francs probably needs to step up to reach the level set by Pont Alexandre but he has been improving with every run.
"He ran Monksland close at Gowran and then beat Sub Lieutenant fairly well.
"This will tell us whether we are aiming at a Grade One at Cheltenham or the four-miler or one of the handicaps."
Sandra Hughes' Sub Lieutenant, put in his place by Roi De Francs last time out, and Noel Meade's Bonny Kate are the only other two runners.
