Mouse Morris is looking forward to getting Baily Green back on the track in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27th.
The seven-year-old is set to renew rivalry with Sizing Europe, who beat him by a length and a quarter in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October.
After rattling off a seven-race winning streak last season, Baily Green gave Simonsig a fright in the Arkle at Cheltenham.
Morris revealed the setback Baily Green suffered after the Gowran race has not hampered his preparation for his Christmas engagement.
"He does go for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase and he's well over the bang on his foot – he's A1 now," said the Fethard handler.
'That's racing'
"In Gowran Park I couldn't have been happier with him and unfortunately we got the hiccup but that's racing and it's not held him up at all.
“He’d prefer a bit of give (in the ground) now that’s he getting a bit older, he runs on any ground although a bit of give would be best.
“Two or two and a half (miles) is fine. I started him off over two and a half because there’s limited conditions chases in Ireland. I’d be hopeful of a big run.”
Baily Green is one of 14 runners left in the Grade One event, with John Durkan winner Arvika Ligeonniere (Willie Mullins) and Sizing Europe (Henry De Bromhead) adding further strength to the home defence.
Three British possibles
There are three British possibles in Kid Cassidy (Nicky Henderson), Majala (Tom George) and Tingle Creek hero Sire De Grugy (Gary Moore), although the latter is more likely to wait for the former Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January.
Meanwhile, Paul Nolan has warned that Defy Logic in unlikely to run at Leopardstown over Christmas unless ground conditions ease at the Dublin track.
The JP McManus-owned gelding is one of nine horses left in the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase on St Stephen’s Day, but with the ground currently good
Nolan is hoping for rain. “All being well he’ll run at Christmas, more than likely in the two-miler at Lopardstown, although it’s ground dependent,” said the Wexford handler.
"He'll run providing the ground isn't good. With a little bit of luck they'll get the rain."
Impressive debut
Defy Logic made an impressive debut over fences at Naas in October before chasing home Felix Yonger in the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown. That form has been franked since by the winner and
Nolan is expecting improvement from his charge. “You’re never delighted when they are beaten, but I thought he performed well,” he said.
“He’s a bit inexperienced and wasn’t great over the last two. Hopefully he should learn a lot from it.”
