Key race Khan be a classic
MENGLI KHAN and Voix Du Reve lock horns in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown. The two-mile-one-furlong contest is the Grade One feature today and another mouth-watering renewal looks in prospect.
Having finished third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Gordon Elliott’s Mengli Khan made an impressive start to his chasing career at Punchestown and he is set to step up in class over the festive period.
The Willie Mullinstrained Voix Du Reve did not scale the same heights over hurdles as Mengli Khan, but was thoroughly impressive on his fencing bow at Galway and followed up in the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Joseph O’Brien’s Le Richebourg arguably sets the standard after being narrowly denied by Elliott’s Delta Work in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse.
O’Brien also saddles Us And Them, while Henry de Bromhead’s pair of Mind’s Eye and Ellie Mac complete the six-strong field.
Meanwhile, Elliott’s stable companions Chief Justice and Coeur Sublime will renew rivalry in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Coeur Sublime was bought for €260,000 after beating subsequent Royal Ascot runner-up and St Leger third Southern France on his sole Flat start for Peter Fahey and made a winning hurdling debut for Gordon Elliott at Down Royal.
He was a hot favourite to follow up in a Grade Three at Fairyhouse earlier this month, but was narrowly beaten by the more experienced Chief Justice and the pair do battle again on day one of the Christmas festival at the Dublin track.
Elliott also runs Coko Beach — a winner over hurdles in France — Gowran Park scorer Flat To The Max and Smiling Eliza.
Willie Mullins also has a strong hand, with Paul Townend seemingly preferring French recruit La Sorelita to Cork winner Maze Runner. Jessica Harrington’s Punchestown winner Got Trumped is another to feature in an 11-strong field.
Mullins takes the wraps off Klassical Dream in the opening Tote Pays Dividends Maiden Hurdle.
The four-year-old finished fourth in a Grade One at Auteuil last year and will be well fancied.
The champion trainer has Defy De Mee, but of more interest is Martin Brassil’s City Island.