Papillon was yesterday confirmed a runner in the £105,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase on December 27th by trainer Ted Walsh and after the publication of the weights for Ireland's richest-ever jump race, the sponsors have made Papillon 7 to 1 ante-post joint favourite with Gimme Five.
Papillon has picked up a 6lb penalty for his impressive win over two miles at Fairyhouse on Sunday, which puts him on 11st 7lbs with Wylde Hide topping the handicap on 12st.
Walsh commented yesterday: "I hope that 6lb penalty doesn't cost him the race, but he should improve a fair bit for that race on Sunday. He's only a six-year-old, compared to the likes of Gimme Five who's 10, and he should be on the improve.
"I had to run him somewhere since he hadn't raced since April and hasn't got a lot of experience. Fairyhouse proved he's in good form and Ruby (Walsh) will ride him again at Leopardstown. It would be a very nice race to win."
Time For A Run, pulled up in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, has been given 11.1 in the handicap and is made an 8 to 1 chance by Powers for the threemile event.
Eight British-trained horses figure among the 39 entries with Major Bell the second top rated on 11.10 in a race which should prove ultra competitive.
Turf Club assistant handicapper Andrew Shaw said yesterday: "A 0-140 handicap cuts out a lot of the top horses, but it does mean there are lots of horses with chances. A bottomweight of 9st 7lb means that only two of the 39 entries are out of the handicap and one of them, Punters Bar, is only 2lb out."
