Delta Work and Blow By Blow lead field of five for Gigginstown

SEVEN go to post in the Grade One Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown today, with five contenders sporting the maroon and white colours of Gigginstown House Stud. Gordon Elliott sends both Delta Work, who is unbeaten in two runs over fences, and Blow By Blow, winner of the Martin Pipe at the Festival in March. Henry de Bromhead also has two Gigginstown runners in Judgement Day, the mount of Rachael Blackmore and on a five-timer, and Nick Lost. Joseph O’Brien’s Mortal, a winner on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse, completes the Gigginstown masses. The man charged with trying to keep tabs on them all is racing manager Eddie O’Leary. ‘With Blow By Blow and Delta Work, this was always going to be the obvious place to bring them after the last Grade One (Drinmore),’ said O’Leary, referring to the race won by Delta Work with Blow By Blow back in seventh. ‘Obviously we’d hoped Blow By Blow would run better, but we always suspected he might find that trip (two and a half miles) a bit short. ‘Delta Work has looked very good over fences and it was nice to see his form get franked by Le Richebourg the other day.’ Elliott also runs Ben Dundee who needs to bounce back after being pulled up last time out while Jessica Harrington’s Moonshine Bay completes the line up. Meanwhile, Dorrells Pierji steps back up in class for the Sky Sports Racing Launching January 1st Novice Hurdle at Limerick. Willie Mullins’ five-yearold has won four of his last five races, but the only blot on his recent record came when upped to Grade Three company for the Joe Mac Novice Hurdle at Tipperary. Down in grade last time out, he beat a fancied stablemate at Galway and looks worth a crack at the €50,000 prize. Mullins also runs the mare, Pleasure Dome. ‘Dorrells Pierji goes there in very good form and we think he’s a very good horse,’ said assistant trainer Patrick Mullins. Giving weight is Philip Dempsey’s Derrinross, who won a Grade Three last time out. Gordon Elliott runs Defi Blue and Monbeg Worldwide while Noel Meade’s Cap York, who defied an absence to win at Navan, is also in Gigginstown colours.