Sprightly display from Felix Yonger

Felix Yonger is another Willie Mullins trained runner set to compete at the Cheltenham Festival, following his win in the Grade 2 Paddypower.com Novice Hurdle at Naas today.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the son of Oscar moved to the front after two out before scoring a three lengths win over Dressedtothenines which stayed on well in the closing stages.

Afterwards Mullins said “coming back in trip was no problem for Felix Yonger. He is a super mover and I don’t think he is a winter horse - I think he’ll be better on better ground in the spring.

“I imagine he’ll be good enough to travel if we want to but I’ll have a word with Mr Wylie (owner) and see what he wants to do. Ruby (Walsh) always thought he would have no trouble staying but he is well able to compete over two miles on better ground. He shows plenty of gears at home and I think he’ll improve again.”

Stan James Bookmakers subsequently cut Felix Yonger to 25/1 (from 40s) for the Supreme Novice Hurdle, to 25/1 (from 33s) for the Nertune Novice Hurdle and left him unchanged at 33s for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.