'I hope it's not a bad sign we're the only British handicapper going'

Phil Kirby is looking forward to taking on the might of the Irish at the Dublin Racing Festival with his stable star Top Ville Ben, who will be the only British-trained handicap runner at Leopardstown's two-day meeting this weekend.

Owned by the Harbour Rose Partnership, the 11-year-old won the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase in 2019 and is on course for the Grade A Bulmers Handicap Chase on Sunday (2.40), for which he is a 25-1 chance with bet365 and Coral.

Top Ville Ben will be one of just three British runners at the meeting, with fellow raiders Weveallbeencaught and Sceau Royal tackling Grade 1 company on Saturday.

Sunday's 2m5f contest could feature multiple horses trained by Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Gavin Cromwell but Kirby is hopeful Top Ville Ben will make connections proud with a bold effort.

The trainer said: "He's capable and he's off a fair enough British mark. I know they drop him a bit for going over, but I don't think he's particularly completely handicapped out of it, it's just how better handicapped the others might be.

"Hopefully he'll put up a good showing and make it worthwhile. It's competitive with good prize-money and it'll be an interesting day out for everybody. I hope it's not a bad sign we're the only handicap runner going!"

Phil Kirby: trainer of Top Ville BenCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A lack of options in Britain following the cold snap in January and the lucrative prize-money persuaded Top Ville Ben's connections to have an ambitious tilt at the meeting, with a winning prize of €88,500 (£78,222).

"It was either Dublin or wait for Doncaster for a veterans' chase at the end of the month, but I thought if it doesn't rain that wouldn't be suitable anyway and with the prize-money in Ireland, I thought we should take our chance now and go and enjoy it," said Kirby.

"He was due to go to Lingfield earlier this month for the Winter Million meeting again and that had been the plan all along. When that went we had to find a bit of an alternative and this was one of the very few that was there for him.

"I thought it'd be nice with the lads who own him going over anyway and we'll head over on Saturday and Tommy Dowson will be riding him again."

Top Ville Ben's rivals could include 2021 Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier, while last year's first and second, Birchdale and Foxy Jacks, are among the 26 remaining entries.

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