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

Monday: 2.20 Leopardstown
Brand New Racing Post App Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 2m1f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

Jonbon sets a lofty standard in this season's two-mile novice chasing ranks, but Ireland's opening Grade 1 of the festive period often throws up a live player in the Arkle picture.

Douvan (2015) and Footpad (2017) are the most recent winners of this €100,000 contest to follow up at the Cheltenham Festival later that spring, and layers reckon Fil Dor is the likeliest to pull off the double this term (currently 12-1 for the Arkle).

It was easy to be impressed by what last season's Triumph Hurdle second produced when making a winning chase debut at Navan four weeks ago, accounting for the talented Saint Roi by four lengths.

Fil Dor was in receipt of 8lb on that occasion and is 2lb worse off this time in his rematch with Saint Roi, but improvement will be required from that rival in order for those placings to be reversed at Leopardstown.

Saint Roi's trainer Willie Mullins has won this race on a record eight occasions, though, and he was returning from a 150-day absence at Navan. In comparison, Fil Dor had no reason for rustiness after blowing away the cobwebs with a second to Brazil in the Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas.

Of the five contenders bidding for a first Grade 1 success, Saint Roi was the top-rated performer over hurdles with a mark of 153, with Fil Dor next in the standings on 147.

It is probably more likely that Hollow Games – a Navan beginners' chase winner for Gordon Elliott – will give his stablemate most to think about in Monday's contest.

This is bound to be a bigger test of the six-year-old's aptitude for two-mile chasing than last time in lesser company, but his jumping was assured for one making his debut over fences. He heads to the Dublin track as a top-priced 16-1 shot for the Arkle and Turners Novices' Chase.

However, the fact Jack Kennedy stays loyal to Fil Dor, having also won on Hollow Games last month, can be deemed a vote of confidence in the favourite's claims.

Joseph O'Brien has done a terrific job with the Gigginstown-owned Midnight Run, placing him extremely well to land an arguably below-par running of the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown last time. That was an impressive success, readily obliging by nine lengths, but another improved display will be required to score at the highest level.

Scottish amateur rider Tom Hamilton, who has won a host of quality bumpers for O'Brien, has been entrusted with a first Grade 1 ride over fences on the 143-rated contender.

Midnight Run and Bryan Cooper impressively land the Craddockstown Novice Chase last timeCredit: Patrick McCann

Despite coming up short when second to Adamantly Chosen in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown last time, when attempting to concede 7lb to his rivals, it wouldn't be a shock if the Peter Fahey-trained Visionarian outran his odds. Expect him to be at home in these conditions and over this trip.

Elliott poised to go one better after near miss last Christmas

Gordon Elliott came up just short when attempting to lower the colours of Ferny Hollow in this race 12 months ago, but he appears to be firmly in the driving seat with his duo for this year's prize.

Elliott must have taken encouragement from his ambitious bid to utilise a valuable age allowance with Riviere D'Etel last Christmas as his four-year-old Fil Dor – the same age as the 2021 runner-up – is back for a shot at his elders.

Elliott's only previous winner of the race, Clarcam (2014), was also aged four at the time of his breakthrough Grade 1 success.

Hollow Games, a six-year-old who excelled over 2m1f last time after being tried at 3m on his previous hurdles start, solidifies a power-packed squad for the top trainer.

Gordon Elliott on Hollow Games: 'We had felt he was always going to be a chasing type'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"You'd have to be very happy with what they both did on their first starts over fences," said Elliott. "Hopefully they're two nice young horses to look forward to.

"Fil Dor was nearly foot-perfect at Navan and this race has been the plan since. He seemed to get on well Leopardstown last season in his two starts over hurdles there.

"We had felt that Hollow Games was always going to be a chasing type. I thought it was a nice performance last time at Navan and we're looking forward to running him here."

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Midnight Run
He won well last time at Punchestown and has earned a shot at a race like this. Hopefully he can collect some prize-money.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Saint Roi
This has been the plan for him to come here. It looked a good beginners' chase that he finished second in last time at Navan. He jumped well and did everything nicely on the day, but he'll probably have it all to do to turn the form around with Fil Dor, I'd imagine. He goes there in good form, though.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Visionarian
I'm not saying he'll win, but I think he could run a very big race. He's been very good since going over fences and I thought his last start at Punchestown was a great run. He had a 7lb penalty to concede that day and wasn't beaten too far. Hopefully he'll give a very good account.

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'

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

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

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