Preview leopardstown 29th Dec

Nichols Canyon attempts to step into the shoes of Hurricane Fly in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The now-retired Hurricane Fly counts four renewals of this race among his 22 Grade One triumphs, and his trainer Willie Mullins relies on Nichols Canyon to keep the run going.

Successful at the top table on five occasions himself, Nichols Canyon became the first horse to beat mighty stablemate Faugheen in the Morgiana Hurdle last month and a similar performance here will see him cement his position as the chief threat to that one's Champion Hurdle crown.

Mullins has also declared Arctic Fire but he ran over three miles in the Christmas Hurdle on Monday, so the main stumbling block in Nichols Canyon's way could be Fighting Fifth winner Identity Thief, although the returning Windsor Park did number Nichols Canyon among his victims when landing the Neptune at Cheltenham.

No More Heroes attempts to confirm his status as the leading staying novice in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.

Gordon Eliott's six-year-old backed up his fencing debut success with victory over the reopposing Monksland in the Drinmore, with fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned horses Wrath Of Titans and Rule The World rounding out the select field.

Morning Run returns from the sidelines in the Willis EBF Mares Hurdle.

Unbeaten in six starts, the most recent of which came at this Grade Three level at Fairyhouse back in January, Mullins' charge is joined in the line-up by her Listed-winning stable companion Whiteout, with Jessie Harrington's Rock On The Moor the one they have to fear most.

Elliott's Space Cadet was no match for Up For Review at Fairyhouse but might not meet anything of that calibre in the Copper Face Jacks Maiden Hurdle, and his trainer has a good chance in the Ryanair EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle courtesy of Squouateur.

Racing begins at 12.10 with the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, in which last year's winner Down Under is back for more.