Key questions as Mengli Khan bids to add to impressive chasing debut win

2.20 Leopardstown
Racing Post Novice Chase | Grade 1 | 2m1f | 4yo+ | ATR/RTE2

Will Mengli have better Leopardstown luck?

Mengli Khan, an impressive ten-length winner on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month and second favourite for the Racing Post Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in March, faces five rivals in the feature contest on day one of Leopardstown's Christmas festival.

Connections will be hoping for a more luck and a better result than when Mengli Khan ran at this meeting 12 months ago, when he was sent off favourite for a Grade 1 novice hurdle only to crash out through the wing of the second-last when in the lead.

His jumping at Punchestown last time out was virtually faultless and trainer Gordon Elliott, who landed this prize with Clarcam in 2014, reports that the Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old is in "great shape" ahead of his mission.

He said: "We were delighted with Mengli Khan's performance at Punchestown. He jumped the way he had been schooling and was very good. All has been well with him since. He'll like the ground and is going there with a very good chance."

Davy Russell will be seeking a first win in the Racing Post-sponsored race, which has been won by several subsequent Arkle winners, most recently Footpad a year ago.

Does Reve have the necessary gear change?

Voix Du Reve, winner of both his starts over fences, will be attempting to emulate stablemates Douvan (2015), Min (2016) and Footpad (2017), who have all scored in this event in the last three years.

The front-running six-year-old landed the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown last month and is again the mount of Paul Townend, who won the race for Mullins on Blackstairmountain in 2011 and Arvika Ligeonniere the following year.

Voix Du Reve: looking to extend his unbeaten chase recordCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

However, Mullins admits the step up to Grade 1 company – and taking on Mengli Khan and co – is a different ball game.

He said: "This race will be tougher and he'll need to have progressed as he's up against a few very smart rivals."

Will the drop in trip benefit Richebourg?

Joseph O'Brien believes dropping back in trip will not inconvenience Le Richebourg, who is two from three over fences and lost out by only half a length to Delta Work in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase over a longer trip at Fairyhouse on his most recent start.

"Le Richebourg has been in good form since the Drinmore," said the trainer.

Le Richebourg: drops back in trip for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Caroline Norris

"He has won over two miles and a furlong, and going back to that distance shouldn't be a problem."

O'Brien is also represented by Us And Them, a ten-length second to Hardline last time in the Grade 3 Klairon Davis Chase.

Can the De Bromhead duo outrun their odds?

Trainer Henry de Bromhead is also doubly represented, but both of his runners look to have tough asks on ratings.

However, he expects Mind's Eye will benefit from the shorter distance and said: "Dropping down in trip should suit him as he was a bit disappointing in the Drinmore, when he seemed to struggle to see it out."

Ellie Mac: one of two runners for trainer Henry de BromheadCredit: Patrick McCann

He added: "We decided to let Ellie Mac take her chance after winning her last two races in the hope she might get some black type."

A winner over hurdles at the meeting a year ago, Ellie Mac will be attempting to become the first mare to land the prize since Mariah Rollins in 2004.

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