THE Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase, then a listed race, was run for the first time in 2017, and Willie Mullins saddled Great Field to land the prize. A month later the gelding went to Punchestown and took the honours in the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase.

Mullins won the race for a second time in 2023 with Flame Bearer, and on that gelding’s only subsequent run he claimed the scalps of his stablemates Sir Gerhard, Appreciate It and James Du Berlais to win his Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. Could Mullins follow suit this year with the recent winner of the Thurles feature, Mister Policeman?