Tour in Irish Arkle frame

Notus De La Tour is set for a quick return to Ireland following his decent performance at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

David Pipe's five-year-old has made a bright start over fences, winning at Carlisle and Plumpton and finishing third to Walkon at Exeter before he was pitched into Grade One company at the Dublin track.

He led for much of the two-mile-one-furlong trip before being passed on the run-in by Willie Mullins' Blackstairmountain.

"The ground had clearly dried out quite significantly and he will certainly be better on softer going," the trainer told www.davidpipe.com.

"He could return for a crack at the Irish Arkle at the end of next month."