Yonger bids for four-timer in Limerick Felix Yonger aims to secure his fourth win from as many starts over fences in the Greenmount Park Novice Chase at Limerick. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has already surpassed what he achieved over hurdles since turning his attentions to the larger obstacles, winning twice at Punchestown before completing his hat-trick at Navan earlier this month. He steps back up in distance for this Grade Two prize, the feature event of the opening day of Limerick's four-day Christmas Festival, instead of taking on stable companion Champagne Fever in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown. Mullins said: "He's coming here instead of going to Leopardstown and the two and a half (miles) shouldn't be any trouble to him. "The ground in Limerick sounds as though it will be quite heavy, which might not be ideal, but we're happy to let him take his chance." Felix Yonger is the star name in a nine-runner field, with Mullins also saddling Balnaslow and The Paparrazi Kid. Best of the rest on ratings is Gordon Elliott's Shrapnel, but he was a long way behind Felix Yonger in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown. Elliott said: "It looks a competitive race. Hopefully we'll pick up some prize-money. Felix Yonger is obviously the one to beat." The main supporting contest on the seven-race card is the O'Kelly Bros. Demolition & Environmental Contracts Hurdle. Aidan O'Brien's Carriganog heads the six-runner field and was not disgraced when third behind the high-class Apache Stronghold at Navan last month. Mullins saddles four-year-old French recruit Smashing, who made a winning Irish debut at Fairyhouse. Mullins said: "He's a horse who should like the conditions. It's a tough race, but we'll let him take his chance and see how he goes."
