Irish Weekend Preview: Fly the star attraction at Leopardstown

Hurricane Fly is going for his third Irish Champion Hurdle

Timeform's Billy Nash takes a look at the pick of the action in Ireland this weekend...

Two former champion hurdlers, Binocular and Hurricane Fly, go head to head in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. Hurricane Fly finished in front of Binocular when they last met in last season's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and it will be something of a surprise if he fails to do so again on Sunday. Willie Mullins' stable star is peerless in this division in Ireland, in fact he is undefeated on home soil since November 2009, and he has looked as good as ever in two outings this season, having Thousand Stars and Captain Cee Bee, both of whom are declared to run again on Sunday, over seven lengths back in third and fourth respectively in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle here in December.

The main supporting event on Sunday's card is the Grade 2 Synergy Solutions Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles and it gives us another chance to see Pont Alexandre, who created a huge impression when lowering the colours of the much-vaunted Don Cossack at Navan in December. Pont Alexandre's performance that day was one of the best by any novice hurdler this season and, although the likes of Our Vinnie, Sizing Gold and Anonis will ensure he doesn't get everything his own way, he should emerge with his unbeaten record intact.

The Grade 1 Irish Arkle has been moved to Saturday due to the threat of heavy rain and just three are set to face the starter. It is still a fascinating contest, however, as the hitherto unbeaten over fences Arvika Ligeonniere will be hoping to confirm his superiority over both Oscars Well and Beneffiecient. Arvika Ligeonniere tended to jump out to his right here last time, on what was his first try on a left-handed track over fences, and needed to be driven right out to hold the renewed effort of Oscars Well who hadn't jumped all that fluently himself. Conditions won't be ideal for either horse but there is unlikely to be much between them again granted a clear round of jumping.

Mount Benbulben will be attempting to turn the tables on Marito when the pair reoppose in the Grade 2 novice chase at 14:15. Marito just came out on top when they met at Naas earlier this month but the extra five furlongs here will play to the strengths of Gordon Elliot's charge. 

There are also two valuable handicaps on Saturday's card. Hidden Cyclone bids to get his season back on track after failing to do himself justice in the Lexus Chase last time, but he will need to produce a career-best performance to defy top weight of 11-10 in these conditions, whilst Edeymi is sure to have his supporters in a typically competitive renewal of the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle following his recent win on the Flat at Dundalk.