Thousand Stars to shine

WILLIE MULLINS has again resisted the urge to take the wraps off mighty Hurricane Fly in this afternoon’s Grade 1 Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown, but still looks to have the answer to the contest with Thousand Stars.

The grey is a tremendous money-spinner, is admirably consistent and capable of going a swinging end-to-end gallop should Ruby Walsh decide such tactics are necessary. Indeed, the selection made every yard of the running last time in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, quickening away in the closing stages to beat Oscars Well by five and a half lengths. Oscars Well is safely held on that form and so the biggest danger may well be Dermot Weld’s Unaccompanied.

She is untried at the top level and has 12lbs to find with Thousand Stars at the weights. But Unaccompanied is classy and unexposed and made a more than satisfactory seasonal debut when cruising to a three lengths success at Naas last month.