Un De Sceaux leads a triple assault by Willie Mullins on the French Champion Hurdle in Auteuil on Sunday.

The horse is also facing into the challenge of racing half a mile further than he has done ever before.

Ireland’s top-rated two-mile chaser reverted to smaller obstacles in style at the Paris track last month, landing the Prix La Barka with ease under Ruby Walsh who takes the ride again in the €370,000 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil.

The 12-runner race is scheduled to start at 4.05pm Irish time. Mullins will also be represented in the near 3¼-mile highlight by his former dual-winner, Thousand Stars, and the Grade 1 winning mare Whiteout.

British hopefuls

There are four British hopefuls in the race, headed by the

Paul Nicholls

pair, Ptit Zig and Silsol, although it is the leading home hope, Blue Dragon, who is rated the main danger to Un De Sceaux, rated an evens favourite by

Paddy Power

.

Mullins has won the French Champion Hurdle on four previous occasions, but Ireland’s leading trainer also knows what it takes to win the Grade 1 Prix Alain-du-Breil, which is on the same card.

The French equivalent of the Triumph Hurdle has drawn just six runners and Footpad is a leading contender after his Grade 3 success over the course and distance last month.

Before that, Pat Shanahan travels to York on Saturday with Taexali for a valuable sprint handicap.

“He’s Listed-placed, so we know he’s got quality, and as long as there’s no jar in the ground, he’ll be fine,” Shanahan said.

“I’ve only ever had one runner at York and he won, so it’s so far so good there.”

Ireland's weekend National Hunt action starts at Limerick and there won't be any 50-1 about Pateen in the concluding bumper like there was on his recent racecourse debut at Killarney.

Trainer Norman Lee’s runner has to concede a penalty but he still looks a decent prospect on quick ground conditions.