Arkle clues aplenty as Darver Star and Felix Desjy line up in Grade 2

12.15 Punchestown
Mongey Communications Novice Chase (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

Cheltenham stages an Arkle trial on Saturday but the biggest clues for the Grade 1 novice contest will be on offer at Punchestown, with the hugely talented Darver Star and Felix Desjy doing battle here.

It did not work out at the festival for last year's winner Notebook, but this Grade 2 has an exemplary record of producing Arkle contenders.

Felix Desjy: a general 20-1 chance for the Arkle at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Moscow Flyer and Sizing Europe won this race before going on to Arkle glory, while Kicking King, Realt Dubh, Baily Green, Sizing John and Ordinary World were all placed at the Cheltenham Festival.

Darver Star enjoyed a sensational rise through the ranks last season, placing in Champion Hurdles at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. He started this campaign with success on his chasing debut last month.

He is a 14-1 chance for the Arkle and should enjoy having a target to aim at in the form of front-runner Felix Desjy, who continued the peculiar act of occasionally crossing his front hooves while jumping when winning his chase debut – something he did over hurdles.

The Grade 1-winning novice hurdler is a general 20-1 chance for the Arkle and could take some catching if he produces a clear round.

Fancy footwork: Felix Desjy crosses his hooves while in full flight in the Grade 1 Betway Top Novices' HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sizing Pottsie, rated 148, was too fresh on his reappearance at Down Royal and needs to bounce back, while Henry de Bromhead, who has won this race three times in the last five years, saddles Benruben, who is bidding for a hat-trick but probably wants better ground.

What they say

Jonathan Moore, rider of Darver Star
I'm looking forward to getting back on him after missing the ride last time [through injury]. He looked good that day and seemed to get better as the race developed. We always thought he'd be a chasing type and I even thought last season he could go over fences.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Felix Desjy
It looks a very good race and Darver Star is bringing Champion Hurdle form so it won't be easy. We're happy with our horse, though, and he won well on his first start over fences at Killarney.

Kate Harrington, assistant to Jessica Harrington, trainer of Sizing Pottsie and Emily Moon
Sizing Pottsie was just too fresh on his first start this season at Down Royal and Robert [Power] felt he was an out-and-out two-miler on testing ground. Hopefully this race should suit him. Emily Moon ran well on her comeback over hurdles at Gowran and we'd love to pick up some more black type with her.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Benruben
He's in good form but the ground might just be turning against him at the moment so we'll see how he gets on.

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