Stand Up And Fight could bid to become the first horse since Agus A Vic to win the Down Royal Christmas Hunter Chase for a second time as he is one of 13 initial entries for the Bluegrass Horse Feeds sponsored contest next Thursday.
Like Agus A Vic, Enda Bolger’s charge would be looking to regain his crown in the race having not contested last year’s race, however success at Fairyhouse last month marked a return to form from the talented eight-year-old where he could once again lock horns with the Cheltenham Foxhunters runner-up Billaway.
Last year’s winning trainer David Christie could be doubly represented as he has entered both Some Man and Winged Leader here. The former would enter the race following back to back successes in the open division at Curraghmore and Tinahey.
He had finished second in last season’s Tetretema Cup and his conqueror from Gowran Park Aloneamongmillions returned with an impressive success at Dromahane and remains unbeaten on these shores, whilst Solumn Grundy has won a pair of opens this season since joining Sean Doyle and could have his first outing in Hunter Chase company.
The entries are completed by Call It Magic, Its All Guessowrk, Rewritetherules, Ringneill, Super Citizen, Walk To Freedom and Walshestown.
