Joe Dullea with Damut© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Joe Dullea is looking forward to a trip to Leopardstown with stable star Damut.
The nine-year-old claimed four successive races over hurdles in 2015, completing his winning sequence with a wide-margin success at Cork in the November.
He came up short in better company before being sent over fences this season.
Damut finished down the field behind Identity Thief on his chasing debut, but has raised his game since and was a creditable fourth in the Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase at Limerick over the Christmas period.
Dullea said: "He will hopefully head to Leopardstown now for the Coral Handicap Chase (January 22).
"He seems in great form since Limerick. We were delighted with his run there, which was his first in a handicap.
"JJ (Slevin) gave him a grand ride but he just said he got cut off going out on the last circuit, and going up the back he was last.
"He made up his ground then going up the hill and he stayed going well, we were delighted with him.
"I thought he was the only horse finishing out the race in Limerick so the extra furlong at Leopardstown should help.
"I just hope he gets into the race now, and he is the kind of horse that goes on any ground really."
