Mullins And Moore Could Be Represented In Independent Newspaper Novices´ Chase

Trainers Willie Mullins and Gary Moore are both considering a tilt at Sunday´s chasing feature at Cheltenham, the #40,000 Independent Newspaper Novices´ Chase (2.05pm) over two miles at Cheltenham.

The Grade Two race has been won in recent seasons by Best Mate, Azertyuiop, Thisthatandtother and Fundamentalist.

Mullins is contemplating running Davenport Democrat, although the Irish handler will not make a final decision until later in the week.

Davenport Democrat has won his last three starts over fences, most recently in a Cork two-mile handicap chase on October 16 when he defeated Beechcourt by half a length. Mullins revealed: 'It´s just a speculative entry at the moment. We´ll see what the entries are like and the ground, as he needs it on the good side.. He´s fit and well but I probably won´t decide until Thursday.'

The Co Carlow trainer also has entries in two of the other big races at The Open, the #110,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase (3.20pm) on Saturday, November 12, and the #50,000 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.40pm) on Sunday, November 13.

He continued: 'Euro Leader is in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. I´ve Mountain Snow and Adamant Approach in the Greatwood Hurdle and both missed their engagements on Saturday with the meeting at Down Royal being called off. They´re all fit and in good order.

'Mountain Snow is fit from running in the summer and Adamant Approach has had one run back. Cheltenham is not Adamant Approach´s luckiest racetrack - he had the Supreme Novices´ Hurdle (2002) at his mercy when he was in front and fell at the last but he did run one good race there.

'I´ll see what is happening during the week with the weather and the ground.'

Another trainer with the Independent Newspaper Novices´ Chase in his sights is Gary Moore, who could be represented by his recent Cheltenham scorer Flying Spirit.

Flying Spirit, who won the cheltenham.co.uk Novices´ Chase over two miles at the course on October 25, is also entered in the Jim Brown Memorial Novices´ Chase over two and a half miles the previous day, but the Grade Two contest is the more likely option.

The Brighton-based handler explained: 'At the moment, I´m looking at the two-mile race, although he may not go for either. If the going was soft he wouldn´t run, he needs it good or quicker. The horse is grand and worked very well this morning and I´m very pleased with him.

'It´s a very tough assignment that he´s going to take on though - his last race was not of the quality of the Cheltenham races this weekend.

'He´ll have to contest the top novice races though as he´s badly handicapped now. I think he´s just as effective at two and a half miles. The Scilly Isles Novice Chase (at Sandown in February ) would be on the agenda, and then Cheltenham for The Festival - either the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy or the Jewson Novices´ Handicap Chase.'

Other possibles from the 20 entries include the 2004 Greatwood Hurdle victor Accordion Etoile, Albuhera, Bold Bishop, Cerium, Feel The Pride, Tiger Cry, Tamarinbleu and Va Vavoom.