Vedette can complete four-timer
Colm Murphy’s superb mare will be a major attraction, as she attempts to complete a spectacular four-timer.
She proved at Leopardstown at Christmas that staying three miles was not a problem, quickening in style in the straight to beat Mourad by four and a half lengths.
Willie Mulllins trains Mourad and now takes on the eight-year-old with the rapidly improving Zaidpour.
This fellow disappointed in the second half of last season, but is back on track, following two relatively recent successes, and could well come into his own over this trip.
But Voler La Vedette is in serious order right now and has to be the choice.
Shakervilz gets a hopeful nod in the Thyestes, a contest which could hardly be more open. He is one of four in the race for Willie Mullins and the fact has been picked by Ruby Walsh has to be a major consideration.
It is quite possible the selection has been laid out especially for Gowran’s biggest prize, on the basis of not having run over fences so far this season and thus ensuring his current mark wasn’t put at risk.
Shakervilz has, however, enjoyed a pop over flights and certainly ran well for a long way when third behind Voler La Vedette and Mourad at Leopardstown.
Mullins’ Morning Royalty, who showed his true colours when making all to score by 17 lengths at Punchestown, is preferred to the smart Moscow Mannon in the Bumper.
Another Mullins possibility is the French-import, Gorgeous Sixty, in the P J Foley Memorial Hurdle.
She may well be yet another decent recruit for the yard, having scored by ten lengths at Auteuil in September.
