'He's done everything right' - Elliott and Mullins duel in Faugheen Novice Chase

Monday: 2.40 Limerick
Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 2m3½f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

The stranglehold Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have had on Limerick's premier race was interrupted last season by the exploits of small-scale trainer Paddy Corkery, but normal service is well on its way to resuming this Christmas.

It's disappointing we don't have more than the five runners declared for this Grade 1 named after Mullins' talented performer, although last season's dramatic duel between Master McShee and Farouk D'Alene proved only two horses were needed to deliver a real spectacle.

Another pair of high-class operators are to the fore again in Gerri Colombe and Kilcruit. The former heads the market and could be ideal for a test such as this, dropping back in trip with his stamina assured for what can often be a demanding race.

There was much to like about the manner in which the unbeaten six-year-old took to chasing on his introduction at Fairyhouse last month, his first start since returning from a setback which saw him miss last season's Albert Bartlett when a general 12-1 chance.

Gerri Colombe: won a 2m5f beginners' chase last time at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Owned by Robcour and trained by Elliott, he is priced between 8-1 and 14-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase before his first step into Grade 1 company.

Kilcruit, representing champion trainer Mullins, has been exposed to top-class rivals far more often than his main rival and was a Grade 1-winning bumper performer in 2021.

Against the backdrop of his considerable bumper promise, he didn't quite flourish as hoped over hurdles last season. However, the classy seven-year-old made a successful transition to chasing when readily landing a four-runner beginners' chase at Punchestown last month as 1-5 favourite.

This race will be entirely different, even with stablemates Adamantly Chosen (Grade 3 novice chase winner two starts ago) and Authorized Art (triple chase winner rated 150) ensuring more depth than he faced last time.

The general 16-1 shot for the Turners Novices' Chase will have to raise his game if Gerri Colombe delivers on the promise of five wins from five starts under rules. It all makes for an exciting clash between two unexposed chasers.

Gainford excited to team up with unbeaten Colombe

Jordan Gainford was narrowly denied in this race last season on Farouk D'Alene and is excited to have a serious chance of going one better on this year's favourite Gerri Colombe.

With Jack Kennedy in action at Leopardstown and Davy Russell recently retired, Gainford will be eager to capitalise on Monday's top-level opportunity.

Jordan Gainford: bright young talent recorded his first Cheltenham Festival win aboard The Shunter in 2021Credit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

"I'm looking forward to riding him," said the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider.

"I sat on him at home on Friday morning and he seemed in good form. He's done everything right so far. You'd hope that with a good round of jumping he'll be bang there.

"I spoke to Jack [Kennedy] and the horse seems to be fairly straightforward. He was very happy with him on his first start over fences."

O'Keeffe optimistic Kilcruit can continue progression over fences

Paul Townend's decision to head to Leopardstown for three rides on Monday, including red-hot Triumph Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth, may end up being Sean O'Keeffe's gain as he has come in for the plum ride on Kilcruit.

O'Keeffe will hope for better fortune than the last time he partnered Kilcruit, when last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle third was turned over at odds of 1-14 by Largy Debut in a Cork maiden hurdle a year ago.

Sean O'Keeffe on Kilcruit: 'Hopefully he'll keep improving as he continues over fences'Credit: Caroline Norris

The rider, who partnered Galopin Des Champs and The Nice Guy to victory at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, was impressed by Kilcruit's nine-and-a-half-length chasing debut win last time.

"It was good to see him take to his fences well at Punchestown," said O'Keeffe. "He probably didn't have a huge amount to beat last time but he could only do what he did.

"He was a very classy bumper horse and had some good form over hurdles last season too. Hopefully, he'll keep improving as he continues over fences."

What they say

Oliver McKiernan, trainer of Aarons Day
He's probably out of his preferred class but there are very few runners and we said we'd let him take his chance. I'd like to see him put in a nice clear round in a high-class race.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Adamantly Chosen, Authorized Art and Kilcruit
The testing ground won’t suit Adamantly Chosen or Authorized Art but it is a nice prize and they are entitled to take their chance. Kilcruit was very good on his chasing debut at Punchestown and, while that experience will be a huge help, it will be very difficult to beat Gerri Colombe.

Big-race previews:

12.45 Kempton: Champ v Paisley Park again: who comes out on top in a match of familiar foes?

1.10 Leopardstown: Triumph favourite Lossiemouth set for true test - but Paul Townend is unsure

1.20 Kempton: Nicholls pair McFabulous and Gelino Bello clash - but does Skelton hold the ace?

1.35 Wetherby: 'We hope he's still a Gold Cup horse' - Rowland Meyrick insight and key quotes

1.55 Kempton: Henderson on Constitution Hill: 'I'm buzzed up - but also desperately nervous'

2.20 Leopardstown: 'This has been the plan' - can classy Fil Dor bolster Arkle claims for Elliott?

2.30 Kempton: 'We haven't seen the best of him yet' - key trainer quotes for the King George

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