Merlin Giant has been well backed for the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase this afternoon after a big run on his debut over fences at Ballybrit on Tuesday evening.

The Emmet Mullins-trained gelding chased home Thecompanysergeant the other day and is pitched into Grade 3 company now.

He was as big as 11/1 with some firms this morning and was backed into as short as 7/2. The Camelot gelding is a best priced 9/2. Ashdale Bob has been supported into 11/8 favourite for the two-mile-two contest having been 11/4 this morning.