Gordon Elliott chasing For Auction treble with exciting Felix Desjy

Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+| ATR

Gordon Elliott sent out four winners on this day 12 months ago, including Mengli Khan, who won this race and then confirmed himself a top-notch prospect by following up in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The trainer also sent out subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Labaik to take this Grade 3 the previous season, and chances are he has another potentially exciting sort in Felix Desjy.

A high-class bumper performer last season, he was an impressive winner at Galway last month but will need to step up again in this strong-looking event.

Watch Felix Desjy win at Galway

"He was a very good bumper horse last season but was just a shade too keen so I was delighted to see him settle as he did when he won on his hurdling debut at Galway last month," said Elliott.

"This will tell us more but I’m hoping to see him progress into a high-class novice hurdler."

Elliott is also represented by Make My Heart Fly, third in a Grade 3 novice at Galway last time and with seemingly plenty to find to trouble the principals.

Saturday may have been a day to forget for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, with Footpad and Saldier both coming to grief at Naas, but the powerful pair have strong claims of getting on the scoreboard here with Quick Grabim.

Quick Grabim: was an impressive winner of a Grade 3 at TipperaryCredit: Patrick McCann

An impressive winner of a Grade 3 at Tipperary on his last start, Quick Grabim carries a penalty for that success. He will be joined by stablemate Aramon, the mount of Paul Townend.

Mullins said: "Quick Grabim is in good form. The race looks suitable and he’s learning all the time. We’re hoping for a nice run from him."

He added: "I'm not sure Aramon’s form is strong enough for a race of this calibre."

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Choungaya, a winner of a maiden hurdle at Tipperary last time, and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Daybreak Boy, who broke his duck over course and distance recently, are other interesting contenders in the eight-runner contest.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news