Strong Field For Durkan New Homes Chase Christy Roche´s Like-A-Butterfly could face some of Ireland´s best two-mile novices in the Grade One Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St Stephen´s Day. Having won the 2003 Irish Champion Hurdle as part of an exceptional career over timber, the 10-year-old returned from over a year and a half off the track to win impressively first time out over fences at Naas last month.A more surprising entry for the valuable contest is another Irish Champion Hurdle winner, Edward O´Grady´s 2002 victor Ned Kelly, who has not raced for over two years.Of those with chase form, the Noel Meade-trained Sir Oj has looked right up with the best on his three runs to date and could again lock horns with Mariah Rollins, who would have got closer to him but for a mistake at the final fence in last month´s Craddockstown Chase.Completing the field of 11 are Tom O´Leary´s Newmill, who was impressive at Clonmel recently, along with Aye Aye Popeye, Guilt, Healy´s Pub, Kahuna, Steel Band and Tiger Cry.
