Ruby Walsh has confirmed that Willie Mullins' two leading juveniles, Meri Devie and Bapaume, will take each other on in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

With Meri Devie owned by Graham Wylie and Bapaume sporting the colours of Rich Ricci, Mullins' two leading owners will go head-to-head.

The Grade One is always an informative affair and the winner is likely to strengthen their claims for the Triumph Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Walsh told his Paddy Power blog: "The intention is to let Bapaume and Meri Devie run in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle over two miles to stake their claim for a Triumph Hurdle place.

"Both will work again before I'll make a decision on who I'll ride at final declaration time on Friday morning,

"They're two decent juveniles and traditionally, this has been a very good race and the best of the Irish juveniles are likely to turn up.

"Joseph O'Brien's Ivanovich Gorbatov was fourth in this contest last year and went on to win at the Festival.

"If there's a clear-cut winner, they'll go to Cheltenham fancying themselves to run a big race."