No distance worries for Kemboy camp

Connections of Kemboy do not feel the step up in trip will be an issue in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Last month’s win at Clonmel marked the perfect start to the six-year-old’s season and a festive outing is now planned, as Willie Mullins and his staff plot their way to a run in the Ryanair come Festival time.

Weather issues ruled him out of the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and, after skipping the John Durkan at Punchestown, he will instead go to Leopardstown on December 28.

Racing manager Steve Massey says the camp are confident regarding the son of Voix Du Nord, insisting that the distance will not be an issue when he returns for the race formerly known as the Lexus Chase.

Massey said: “He’s in good form and we’re still aiming at Leopardstown over Christmas. It was really disappointing to miss Newbury, but this is another prestigious race and just to have a horse good enough to run in a race like this is fantastic for his owners, and the club as a whole.

“He’s an improving horse who has won over three miles on heavy ground at Limerick, so we don’t think the step up in trip will be a problem.”