Police can answer the call for Mullins
Lightly raced and a horse who has clearly had his problems, Call The Police had his first outing for Willie Mullins in the highly competitive and valuable MCR Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.
Prior to that he hadn’t been seen since finishing a tailed-off fourth of four behind Saludos on this track in December of 2009 and was difficult to fancy.
But the Mullins magic was soon apparent and, in 26-runner field, the selection only gave best to his stable companion Final Approach, beaten two lengths.
This is a hot little contest and the likes of Clan Tara, Jayo and Across The Bay have to be respected.
There are, however, numerous examples of horses who have improved dramatically after being moved to this yard and Call The Police has to be the choice.
Mullins can also supply the solution to the second section of the Champagne And Seafood Festival Package Maiden Hurdle with Pickapocketortwo.
He was last seen winning a fast ground bumper by five and a half lengths at Downpatrick back in July and the surface now will be massively different.
Pickapocketortwo does, though, have form on heavy ground and this is a gentle introduction to the jumping game.
The Hen Party Heaven At The Festival Handicap Hurdle has 22 possibilities, but will surely house a short-priced favourite in the shape of Gordon Elliott’s Martin Scruffy.
He had his first outing in Ireland, and for Elliott, at Thurles last Thursday and strolled to victory.
The son of Oscar runs here under a mandatory 4lbs penalty and goes up by 19lbs in the future.
The frustrating On The Way Out gets a final chance to deliver in the Free Festival Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle.
The dangers are the classy Fiveforthree, who has an absence of 657 days to overcome, and Newmill, who is a real veteran at 13.
lThe meeting scheduled for Clonmel tomorrow is subject to a 9am inspection this morning.
An inspection yesterday found the course was waterlogged and unfit for racing, prompting the further inspection.
If the green light is finally given then all the hurdle races on the programme will be limited to 14 runners.
