It promises to be an intriguing clash between the two horses, both of whom will have their share of supporters. Watson Lake proved superior to his rival by two and a half lengths in that Limerick clash, and his jumping certainly could not be faulted.

Meade's charge, who has the Queen Mother Champion Chase as his Cheltenham target, followed up with a less flamboyant win at Naas, and is rated 6lbs superior to Accordion Etoile on the ratings. Nevertheless, that Limerick run was Accordion Etoile's first outing over fences, and further improvement can be expected.

John Cullen's mount has excellent form over timber to his credit, including a fourth placing behind Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and he remains one of our leading hopes for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March.

The seven-year-old has not run since winning a graded contest at Cheltenham in November, but his stable remains in good form, and he will be expected to further enhance his prospects for the festival here.

The opposition also includes Roger Loughran's mount Central House, who will be hoping to put the disappointment of finishing last of the four runners behind Fota Island at Fairyhouse two weeks ago well behind him.

The nine-year-old had previously won both the Fortria Chase and the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in good style, and will relish the minimum trip. However, Watson Lake, with Paul Carberry in the saddle, is preferred.

Watson Lake's stable-companion Iktitaf has an excellent chance of completing a Grade 2 double for Meade and Carberry with success in the Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old, who was forced to miss an engagement in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown due to a setback, faces stiff opposition from the Charles Byrnes-trained Mounthenry and John Kiely's dual scorer Ceeaway.

The sponsor's hope Tolpuddle, a recent scorer at Cork for the Tommy Stack stable, and Sublimity, a good winner at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, must also be respected, and it should be noted that the 2004 Irish Lincoln scorer Tolpuddle was found out by fitness, rather than jumping ability, at Cork.

His Cheltenham target is expected to be the Supreme Novices Hurdle, and the ease in the ground today should help his cause.

Racing also takes place at Limerick this afternoon, where the best advice is to follow jockey Conor O'Dwyer who has some plum mounts.

He should on the scoresheet early through Colm Murphy's Clew Bay Cove and can supplement that win with further success on Medianoche, Captain Mac and Practice Match. The Pat Flynn-trained Ethon should also get his turn in the opener.