Hunt heads Leopardstown contenders

Dessie Hughes’ Schindlers Hunt heads a maximum of eight in the Grade One Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

As low as 8-1 for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, a clerical error meant he was not given an entry for that race on Monday and Hughes will be keen to pick up the Grade One contest to soften the blow.

Runner-up to Cailin Alainn in the Drinmore Novice Chase, he won the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase in fine style.

The main threat is likely to come from King Johns Castle and Conna Castle, the latter having finished second to Vic Venturi in the Grade Grade Three Ballybrit at Gowran.

Grade Two winner Hear The Echo, Noel Meade’s Khetaam, Tommy Stack’s Wanango, Charles Byrnes’ Vintage Treasure and Robert Tyner’s Young Desperado complete the field at the five-day stage.