News Pont Alexandre stars in high-class weekend novice entry at Warwick

Pont Alexandre stars in high-class weekend novice entry at Warwick

racing

Willie Mullins has given exciting prospect Pont Alexandre the option of the Betfred Mobile Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The eight-year-old overcame a 998-day absence when making a successful fencing debut at Punchestown last month.

That performance laid down a marker for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival which had been the scene of his last start before his enforced lay-off when finishing third to The New One in the 2013 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Mullins has also handed entries to Black Hercules, who made a winning chasing debut at Navan, and Fairyhouse scorer Roi Des Francs.

Paul Nicholls has put Silsol and Vivaldi Collonges in the 18-strong list for the three-mile heat.

Other interesting possibles includes Harry Fry's Bitofapuzzle, the Brian Ellison-trained Definitly Red and Emily Gray from Kim Bailey's stable.