Felix Desjy faces five rivals in Leopardstown day one highlight The Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase is the highlight on day one of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival meeting, and the St Stephen's Day 2m1f test has attracted six runners headed by the exciting Felix Desjy. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding is unbeaten in two outings over fences including the Grade 2 Mongey Communications Novice Chase at Punchestown last month. Darver Star, third to Epatante in the Unibet Champion Hurdle last March, renews rivalry with Felix Desjy despite finishing nearly ten lengths behind that rival at Punchestown with connections hoping better ground conditions will help the eight-year-old. Willie Mullins is double-handed with impressive Navan winner Blackbow and Thurles scorer Franco De Port. The Henry de Bromhead-trained Benruben and Joseph O’Brien’s Embittered complete the sextet. There is also Grade 1 action at Limerick on Saturday where five horses have been declared for the Matchbook Betting Exchange Faugheen Novice Chase. The extended 2m3f event is named in honour of the Willie Mullins-trained gelding who won this race in brilliant fashion 12 months ago, and the Closutton maestro is strongly represented again. Asterion Forlonge, Janidil and Colreevy all represent the champion trainer, while Gordon Elliott’s Pencilfulloflead and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Assemble complete the line-up.
