D'Irlande tests mettle at Leopardstown

Alisier D'Irlande bids to take another step up the ladder when lining up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Henry de Bromhead has a high opinion of the French-bred, who got off the mark over fences in effortless style at Naas last month.

Gaining experience in the two-mile-one-furlong contest is seen as the prime objective with the six-year-old, who was a faller on his only other start over fences.

"He was good the last day. This looks like a nice race to get him more experience and see where he stands," said De Bromhead.

"It's competitive. Hopefully he jumps well and gets more experience.

"We're certainly thinking about maybe Aintree with him but we'll see how Sunday goes first."

The Denis Cullen-trained Dysios certainly has experience on his side and he sets the standard in the six-runner contest with an official mark of 131.

The Invincible Spirit gelding scored in handicap company over course and distance on St Stephen's Day and was also a winner over hurdles at the track.

"He's the highest rated horse in the field and if he reproduces his last run at Leopardstown he has a good chance," said Cullen.

"Henry de Bromhead's horse is a bit of an unknown quantity and looks a decent animal, while the McManus horse (Marchese Marconi) is also a smart sort.

"It's a competitive little race but we're going there with a bit of a chance. He has experience on his side and he likes Leopardstown so we're hoping for a good run."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Marchese Marconi, a smart sort over hurdles and on the Flat, makes his chasing debut in the race.

Fine Article bids to get his season back on track having last been seen when pulling up at Navan in December. Paul Nolan's charge had previously been a fine third behind No More Heroes on his chasing debut at Punchestown.