Felix Yonger (IRE)
7-y-o (01Apr06 b g)
Oscar (IRE) (12.6f) – Marble Sound (IRE) (Be My Native (USA) (11.7f))
W P Mullins
Felix Yonger’s best run in the 2011/12 season came in the Neptune Investment Hurdle finishing second to Simonsig. Unfortunately, he missed the following season due to a splint problem. Returned to action in May of this year, he won his first chase from White Star Line; now on a BHB rating of 142. Rested until November, he came through late on his comeback to catch the useful Defy Logic with five previous chase winners in their wake. Last weekend at Navan, he finished strongly to catch the useful Trifolium by twelve-lengths. Whist the latter tired in the closing stages, having made all the running, Felix Yonger jumped the last two fences with aplomb before going on to win with plenty to spare. Previous winner The Paparazzi Kid was twenty-three lengths behind the winner in third place. Felix Yonger has won on good through to heavy. In addition, he possesses valuable Cheltenham Festival experience. Felix Yonger stays two and a half-miles, suggesting the Jewson Novices Chase is the ideal race at the Festival. His provisional FSF rating of 144, is 2lb below my top 2012/13 novice chaser Arvika Ligeonniere.
