Open Eagle makes his first appearance in Britain since his stunning November Handicap success of last year in the William Hill On Your Mobile Novices' Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.
The six-year-old was snapped up by Willie Mullins for the Supreme Horse Racing Club following his impressive display on Town Moor and while he fluffed his lines on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last season, he appeared much improved when winning cosily on his return to action at Fairyhouse last month.
He joins illustrious stable companions Vautour and Faugheen on the trip across the Irish Sea and racing manager Steve Massey is relishing the prospect of seeing Ruby Walsh carrying the club colours on one of the biggest days in the calendar.
He said: "Having runners on the big days is what it's all about and they don't come much bigger than Kempton on Boxing Day. Ruby rides him, so he'll have plenty of help from the saddle.
"Hopefully he goes there with a good chance. We probably shouldn't have run him at Punchestown last season, but he came back a different horse after a summer break and we were delighted with the way he did it at Fairyhouse on his first run back.
"We think the fast pace he should get at Kempton will help him as he jumps better at pace and hopefully he'll go there and run a big race."
Open Eagle faces no easy task in the two-mile contest, with the Nicky Henderson-trained Altior setting the standard after completing a hat-trick in a Grade Two at Cheltenham last month.
Paul Nicholls' dual Wincanton scorer Marracudja, as well as Simon Squirrel, line up in an interesting opener.