SIZING EUROPE and Big Zeb first locked horns in a Punchestown novice hurdle in 2007 when the former came out on top.
They stand at 1-1 in this event and though Colm Murphy's charge had his revenge for last year's defeat when they met at Punchestown, he was a clear second best there last month when beaten 15 lengths.
It's impossible to oppose the champion on the evidence of that run and he should retain his title.
Finian's Rainbow finished runner-up to Somersby in the Victor Chandler and should prefer the quicker ground but Wishfull Thinking ran so poorly that day there was probably something amiss as he had been less than a length behind Nicky Henderson's charge in the Desert Orchid at Kempton.
Kauto Stone was behind Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek and has never won at a trip this short while it would be a tremendous training feat if Noel Meade can get the classy triple Grade 1 winner Realt Dubh back to form after such a long break.