Big guns eye Red Mills sighter
All four crack hurdlers have had the contest mooted by connections as their final prep for the Champion Hurdle.
Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy won the previous two runnings of the race and were last seen in action in a thrilling renewal of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle when Dessie Hughes’ charge came out on top – with Jessica Harrington’s star making a pleasing seasonal reappearance in third.
Asian Maze ran on from the rear to finish sixth that day but trainer Tom Mullins was pleased with the run and expects her to be more competitive on her next start.
Noel Meade’s Harchibald has not been seen since October, when he was turned over at odds-on in testing ground, and could be accompanied by stablemate Jazz Messenger.
Champion Chase hero Newmill, a faller on his first start over fences this season, could revert to hurdles – but holds an alternative entry in the Red Mills Chase on the same card.
John Murphy’s champion chaser will only show up if the ground dries out significantly.
Murphy, who reports his charge to be fully recovered from his tumble in the Tied Cottage Chase behind Nickname, said: “If the ground dries up he might run but if you don’t enter you can’t run, it’s as simple as that.
“I wouldn’t be worried if he went there (Cheltenham) without another run, but if we get some nice weather I would give him a skip out, no problem.
“He’s fully recovered from his fall – 100%, he just had a couple of stitches over his eye and he’s jumping out of his skin.
“The forecast isn’t good though so we will just have to play it by ear. Soft ground isn’t the end of the world but he is a much better horse on good ground, a bit of ease won’t hurt him though.
“At this stage I wouldn’t have a preference for either race.”
The Red Trial Mills Hurdle has received four other entries in Adamant Approach, Conna Castle, Mansony and Charles Byrnes’ Laetitia, who has not raced since November 2005.
Cashmans have installed Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy as their 5-4 joint-favourites.
Cashmans bet: 5-4 Hardy Eustace, Macs Joy, 8-1 Asian Maze, Jazz Messenger, 25-1 Adamant Approach, Conna Castle, 66-1 Laetitia.
Meanwhile, the only Irish entry in Saturday’s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock is Francis Flood’s GVA Ireland, who could use the race as a prep for the Grand National.
Flood said: “We’re hoping to go to Haydock for the big race and we’ll see how we perform there but at the moment we’re definitely thinking about going to Liverpool.”
Robert Alner’s Sir Rembrandt heads 22 entries for the Merseyside marathon.
Twice placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the 11-year-old will have to shoulder top weight following the defection of Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais and Paul Nicholls’ Neptune Collonges.
However, Nicholls could still be represented by Cornish Rebel and L’Aventure.
Peter Marsh Chase winner The Outlier could bid for a Haydock double for Venetia Williams, who may also run the consistent Mon Mome.
Tom George is hoping Kilbeggan Blade can execute a long-standing plan by landing the event .
“The race has been our aim for quite a long time. We’ve had it in mind for him and it’s our target,” George said.
Kilbeggan Blade will be bidding for a four-timer in the prestigious contest after landing his hat-trick over course and distance in December.
Ladbrokes bet: 7-1 Kilbeggan Blade, Ossmoses, 8-1 The Outlier, 9-1 Cloudy Lane, Kelami, 10-1 G V A Ireland, Naunton Brook, 12-1 Heltornic, Kandjar D´Allier, Preacher Boy, 14-1 Bewleys Berry, L´Aventure, Mon Mome, 16-1 Cornish Rebel, Leading Man, Little Brick, Philson Run, Royal Emperor, Wild Cane Ridge, 25-1 Keepatem, Sir Rembrandt, 33-1 Ross Comm.
