Bellshill bids to shine in Flogas

Bellshill bids to firm up his Cheltenham Festival claims in the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The seven-year-old has disappointed on his last two visits to Prestbury Park, finishing down the field in the Champion Bumper two years ago and the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last March.

However, having impressed on his first two starts over fences this season, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding is favourite to make it third time lucky at next month's Festival in the RSA Chase.

Ruby Walsh was in action at Leopardstown when Bellshill impressed at Limerick on St Stephen's Day, but gets back on board for his return to Grade One level this weekend.

He told the Irish Examiner: "Bellshill is a horse I've always thought a lot of, and he's in good order. He won his beginners' chase well and was very good at Christmas in Limerick, but this is a better race.

"A Toi Phil was a good winner of the Leopardstown Chase, but Balko Des Flos is turning out quickly after running over three miles.

"Bleu Et Rouge surprised me when he departed so early in the Arkle at this track, but seems to be in really good order at home.

"Disko and Our Duke are both stayers, and there wasn't much between them here at Christmas, but I like Bellshill a lot and think he will go close."

Mullins has a second string to his bow in the form of Bleu Et Rouge

The JP McManus-owned grey made a winning start to his chasing career here in December, despite jumping poorly, but unseated Barry Geraghty at the third fence in the Irish Arkle a fortnight ago.

Geraghty told At The Races: "He did well to win his beginners' chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but he got rid of me early on the last day in the Irish Arkle.

"He has schooled at Punchestown since, and he jumped better, but he is going to have to jump well on Sunday."

Jessica Harrington 's Our Duke sets the standard after winning the Neville Hotels Novice Chase over the festive period.

Third on that occasion and beaten just a length was Disko and trainer Noel Meade feels his charge may be seen in a better light back over a shorter trip.

"We're happy with him, he worked OK in the week," said Meade.

"He's dropping back in trip. He was staying on again over three miles at Christmas, so you couldn't say he didn't get three miles, but maybe the two-five might suit him well."

Disko is one of three runners for Gigginstown House Stud along with Gordon Elliott's A Toi Phil and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Balko Des Flos.