Morning Assembly, winner of a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last April, returned to the County Kildare track to make a successful chasing debut yesterday, justifying 2/1 favouritism in the Ballymore Christmas Fair & Family Fun November Festival Beginners Chase.

Denman appeared among 17 contenders for the Lexus Chase as the entries for the major races at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival were published.

Pandorama rose to the top of the Irish staying division with a decisive victory in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.