Vautour winning on his chasing debut at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Vautour has been installed the red-hot favourite for the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, the highlight on day one of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, unbeaten last term when successful three times at the highest level including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, is the 1/3 favourite with Paddy Power for the St Stephen’s Day feature.
Clarcam, beaten eight lengths by Vautour when the pair made their chasing debuts at Navan last month before going one better in impressive fashion at the same track, is second best in the market at 5/1 with Chancol at 7/1.
Other prices: 9 Mr Fiftyone, Real Steel, 10 Gilgamboa, Adriana Des Mottes, 25 Ted Veale, Sizing Granite, 33 Band Of Blood, Three Kingdoms, 100 Allied Victory (All 13 quoted).
The Alan King-trained Uxizandre remains the 2/1 favourite with sponsor’s Paddy Power for the Dial-A-Bet Chase after 14 were left in at the latest entry stage for the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on December 27.
Nicky Richards’ Simply Ned (8/1) is the other possible raider, while Power’s reckon Ballycasey is the main danger making him the 11/4 second favourite.
Ballycasey’s trainer Willie Mullins also has Felix Yonger (12/1) and Twinlight (33/1) to choose from.
Hidden Cyclone, runner-up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March and a last fence faller when still in contention on his reappearance at Thurles last month, is a 6/1 chance.
Sizing Europe won this 2m1f event in 2012, and is rated a 10/1 shot.
Foxrock heads the market at 6/1 with the sponsors after 45 were left in the Paddy Power Chase also at Leopardstown on December 27.
Alderwood heads the weights on 11st8lb for the valuable three-mile handicap, while Gallant Oscar and Grand Jesture are next in the betting at 12/1.
