The eyecatching weekend entries who could play a role at the Cheltenham Festival

Mister Policeman: looked potentially smart when scoring at Cork in AprilCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan

There is competitive racing staged in Britain and Ireland this weekend and looking ahead to the action, we have identified some eyecatching runners who could leap into contention for a race at the Cheltenham Festival . . .

Kabral Du Mathan

It is 13 years since Paul Nicholls last won the Triumph Hurdle with Zarkandar, but the champion trainer could attempt to break that run with Kabral Du Mathan, who is set to make his British debut in the opening 2m juvenile hurdle (12.42) at Plumpton on Sunday.

The Neil and Alfie Smith-owned gelding caught the eye when successful at Clairefontaine back in July, showcasing a strong turn of foot to get up in the shadows of the post.

He has since joined Paul Nicholls, who made the following comment about the gelding in his Racing Post stable tour earlier this season: "I’ll aim to get him out from January 1 onwards and he could be one to take up to Musselburgh in early February for the Scottish Triumph Hurdle, a race we’ve been lucky enough to win four times in the last ten years."

Kabral Du Mathan has to give plenty of weight away at Plumpton on account of his Clairefontaine success, but Paul Nicholls has a strong strike-rate (35 per cent) with his hurdlers at the track in recent seasons and Sunday's opposition has not set an unattainable standard. Bet365 rate Kabral Du Mathan a 33-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Kabral Du Mathan12:42 Plumpton

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Jky: Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Mister Policeman

Willie Mullins has won the last four runnings of the 2m novice chase (1.00) at Naas on Sunday, with the trainer sending out his star chaser Energumene to land the prize in 2021.

His only entry in this weekend's running is Mister Policeman, who has won both his starts since joining the Mullins yard from France.

The Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned six-year-old looked potentially high-class when comfortably seeing off stablemate Cash Back over hurdles at Cork in April, a victory that produced a lofty Racing Post Rating of 150.

Mister Policeman was made to work hard to justify odds of 4-9 on his chase debut at Fairyhouse in November, and following the victory, Mullins admitted that he expected the son of Triple Threat to win a lot easier than he did, claiming that he "does fantastic work at home".

Sunday's race represents a tougher test for Mister Policeman, with his potential rivals including the 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios, but he is entitled to come on for his Fairyhouse run and is a general 12-1 chance for the Arkle Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Mister Policeman13:00 Naas

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Jky: Tnr: W P Mullins

Firefox

The feature race on Sunday is the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle (2.00) and the betting for this year's often informative affair is headed by the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox.

The son of Walk In The Park has won his last four starts, supplementing a hat-trick of bumper victories with success over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month.

Firefox fended off the challenge of the odds-on Ballyburn at Fairyhouse, and that rival has since franked the form spectacularly with a 25-length romp at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Firefox steps up to 2m4f to contest Sunday's race, which is expected to suit, and although he faces a whole host of unexposed novices his Fairyhouse form suggests he is the one they all have to beat.

The Bective Stud-owned six-year-old is a general 6-1 second favourite – behind Ballyburn – for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.