Sports Line can go one better
The lightly-raced six-year-old has only been seen once this season, at Cork in early January when a decidedly unlucky loser.
He tried to make all the running, but was eventually beaten a short head by 33-1 shot Darby’s Turn after rider, Paul Townend, had lost his whip after the final flight.
The bare form is ordinary, but the selection can be expected to come on plenty for the outing and this isn’t the hottest of contests either.
Walsh partners the exciting Quevega for Mullins in the Book The Punchestown Pavilion At The Festival Hurdle.
A belated seasonal debut for this potentially high-class mare, her travels in the market will obviously be worth noting.
She scored twice in Ireland last season, prior to returning to her native country to produce a career-best performance when third to Grivette and Hurricane Fly at Auteuil in June.
Quevega has shown in the past she goes well fresh and is reportedly heading to the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10, so should be reasonably straight.
The opening Book Your Tickets Festival Hurdle has a fascinating appearance, but again Mullins and Walsh might have the answer with Pomme Tiepy.
More than smart on her day, she has to leave two below-par efforts, at Cork and Leopardstown, behind to win this, but has been given a nice break and could prove up to the task.
Noel Meade can get a look-in with the progressive Realt Dubh in the Five-Day Festival Hurdle.
He proved no match for Mikael d’Haguenet at Navan and Cousin Vinny at Naas, but beat subsequent winner, Sorceror, at Leopardstown to take a maiden in between those two efforts.
Retrievelegend, running off a mark 34lbs below his rating over fences, is the one to be on in the Festival Shopping Village Handicap Hurdle.
