The Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase is the feature on Sunday's seven-race card and all eyes will be on Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam as he makes his seasonal reappearance, precautionary inspection permitting.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old rounded off last season's campaign by finishing second to Don Cossack at the Festival here back in the spring and assuming he is fit enough to do himself justice, he should prove a tough nut to crack despite this shorter trip seemingly being against him.
He might have most to fear from stablemate Valseur Lido. Lido enjoyed a fine novice campaign, winning twice at the highest level, including when beating Wounded Warrior easily here in April.
Gilgamboa is another Grade One winner worth respecting, while Hidden Cyclone did it well at Navan recently and has a fitness edge over the aforementioned trio.
Owner Rich Ricci has more significant interest 35 minutes later as the highly-regarded Pont Alexandre makes his first start since finishing third behind the The New One in the 2013 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
That was his only defeat over hurdles and hopes are high that he can prove just as effective now pitched over the larger obstacles for the first time.
Racing gets under way with the Ladies Free Admission On New Years Eve Rated Novice Hurdle (12.05pm) and it is interesting to see Bryan Cooper stay loyal to Wexford winner Attribution ahead of the hat-trick seeking Roman Gold.
However, that pair might struggle to concede weight to impressive Limerick scorer A Great View, who looks a horse going places.
There is a fair prize on offer in the 3 for 2 Festival Tickets At punchestown.com Handicap Chase, and Empire Of Dirt bids to make amends for his Troytown fall, while Sizing Gold looks on a decent mark on his return from a lengthy layoff.
Blow By Blow is sure to prove popular as he debuts in the Old House, Kill (Pro/Am) Flat Race but he will need to be useful to see off Jett.