Exciting novice chaser Zero Ten is ready to return to action at Naas early next month.

Emmet Mullins’ six-year-old justified odds-on favouritism on his debut over fences at Galway in July – and is on course for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Naas on January 5th.

A point-to-point winner in his early days, Zero Ten went on to claim a bumper and three hurdles – including the valuable Connolly’s Red Mills Auction Final at the Punchestown Festival in May.

Mullins said: “I hope Zero Ten will come back at Naas for a novice chase on January 5th. He schooled on Friday morning – (so) he has a nice bit of work under his belt and seems fairly well in himself.”

Zero Ten is owned by Antoinette Mee, who also has Russian Diamond with Mullins. A bumper winner at the Galway Festival in July, the Morozov gelding is likely to make his debut over hurdles at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day.

“Russian Diamond is the only runner I’ll have on St Stephen’s Day,” said Mullins. “He won a bumper on the Monday night at Galway, and he’ll run in an auction maiden hurdle at Down Royal. He has been in good form since Galway.

“I’d say the last time he came off the ground was when giving Zero Ten a lead over fences before Galway. I’m sure we’ll find something to give him a pop over, but we’re very happy with him.

“We’ll try to get him qualified for the Red Mills Final at the Punchestown Festival – the race Zero Ten won last year. It’s a big pot and a big series – so fingers crossed lightning might strike twice.”

GET ALL THE DECEMBER 26th RACECARDS, TIPS & CHRISTMAS ENTRIES IN THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD