Koktail Divin Cheltenham Bound

Koktail Divin looks set to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after making a big impression with a maiden chase victory at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The six-year-old had already shown strong form, finishing second to dual Grade One winner Romeo Coolio on debut before again chasing home Oscars Brother in a Grade Two at Punchestown. Dropped back into beginners’ company, he made no mistake, cruising home by 21 lengths.

He was one of several festive highlights for Henry de Bromhead, alongside The Big Westerner’s Grade Two success at Limerick and a bold return from Stayers’ Hurdle champion Bob Olinger, who found only Teahupoo too strong in the Christmas Hurdle.

“We had a good Christmas overall,” said de Bromhead. “New Year’s Eve was very frustrating, but that’s racing when you’re running plenty of horses.

“Bob ran a blinder in defeat, The Big Westerner was very impressive and Koktail Divin was good. They all ran well.

“We’ll see where we go with The Big Westerner, but I’d imagine we’ll head straight to Cheltenham with Koktail Divin.”

Koktil Divin is currently 16/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices Chase