Confirmed runners and riders for the Grade 1s at Leopardstown and Newbury

Sharjah will face five rivals in his bid to match Istabraq and Hurricane Fly in winning a fourth Matheson Hurdle (2.20) at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

He is set for a rematch with Zanahiyr and Echoes In Rain, who filled the places behind him in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November.

With Patrick Mullins continuing his excellent association with Sharjah, Paul Townend takes the ride on Echoes In Rain and Mark Walsh will ride the third Willie Mullins runner, the reappearing Saint Roi, who was fourth in this race last season and has been unsighted since filling the same spot at the Dublin Racing Festival in February.

Leopardstown cards for Wednesday, December 29

Gordon Elliot saddles the other three in the line-up, with Zanahiyr the clear form pick on what could be a big day for owners Noel and Valerie Moran on both sides of the Irish Sea.

The Elliott team is completed by Petit Mouchoir and Felix Desjy, while Abacadabras was the shortest-priced of three horses not to be declared on Monday morning.

Matheson Hurdle runners and riders

1 Felix DesjyBrian Cooper
2 Petit MouchoirDavy Russell
3 Saint RoiMark Walsh
4 SharjahMr Patrick Mullins
5 ZanahiyrJack Kennedy
6 Echoes In RainPaul Townend

In the other Grade 1 on the Leopardstown card, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier heads a field of eight for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.45) over three miles.

Vanillier and Keith Donoghue win the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott has won four of the last six editions of the race and fields Fury Road and Troytown Chase winner Run Wild Fred, while another horse dropping back into novice company after putting up a bold show in a valuable handicap is Ladbrokes Trophy fourth Ontheropes for Mullins and Cheveley Park.

Both Elliott and Paul Nicholls will rely on a sole representative in the MansionBet Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.05) after seven runners were declared for Wednesday's Grade 1 at Newbury.

Denis O'Regan will ride the Elliott-trained Gringo D'Aubrelle, the winner of Fairyhouse maiden on his second start over hurdles for the Morans, while the same owners' Ginto has not been declared.

Nicholls relies on Stage Star, who won by seven and a half lengths over course and distance in November, with stablemate Mr Glass missing out.

Also lining up will be the Tom Lacey-trained Lossiemouth, the 14-length winner of a Sandown Grade 2 last time, who has been prominent in the ante-post lists for a race whose last three winners were Champ, Thyme Hill and Bravemansgame.

The line-up will be completed by West Balboa, Dante, Party Business and High Stakes.

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