It hardly gets the festive period off to a flyer when only having four runners in the marquee Grade One on the opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and that scenario is exactly why the Racing Post Novice Chase (2.20) will be no more after today.
Some were surprised when it was announced that the Grade One contest – along with the Morgiana Hurdle – would be axed to improve the competitiveness of the top-tier Irish jumps prizes, but today’s subject exhibits why it’s welcome.