Mullins can hit bookies for six!
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh appear to have an extraordinarily strong hand through the card and, rather remarkably, are fancied to land the first six races!
The duo's Shady Willow gets the nap to take the Thurles Racecourse Maiden Hurdle. The dual bumper winner made a reasonable start over flights at Punchestown in January.
A heavily backed odds-on shot, he proved no match for The Gloves Are Off, going under by seven lengths. There is no denying that the form is moderate, but Shady Willow looks sure to improve plenty for stepping up another two furlongs in trip.
Feature event is the Grade 2 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle and Mullins and Walsh have obvious prospects with Cooldine. Seeking a four-timer and already successful twice on this track, the six-year-old meets some useful opponents now, but can outstay the likes of Deal Maker and Scavenger.
Candy Girl can get the ball rolling in the opening Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Mares Beginners Chase.
Easily the best horse in the contest, Candy Girl's jumping is a bigger worry than the opposition. On her debut over fences here last month, the selection was trying to close down eventual winner, Pip 'N Pop, when falling two out, which followed on a bad blunder at the tenth.
Alexander Taipan is another Mullins-Walsh possibility in the Cashel Fine Arts Chase. He was ridden with too much restraint when only fifth to Kazal over hurdles at Navan and it will be surprising should more use not be made of him.
Long-absent Dooneys Gate in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase, if the markets speaks in his favour, and Rosy Cyborg, another dual bumper winner who has little to beat in the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle, are also live Mullins-Walsh candidates.
