Side with Soll
The seven-year-old is lightly-raced, but has already squeezed in a fair bit of travelling along the way.
He won a point-to-point at Liscarroll, as a prelude to scoring over hurdles at Newcastle last season when in the care of John Quinn.
The selection made his debut for Mullins at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and was light enough in the market, finding 9-2 from 7-2.
He ran a cracker, however, battling strongly from the final fence, before going under by a neck to race-fit Son Amix.
His jumping was solid, he impressed with his attitude and Soll will surely strip much fitter on this occasion.
Mullins also has a live one in Quaquo De Flotte in the Sean Graham Bookmakers’ Maiden Hurdle, having chased home hot-pot, Jack Bene, at Thurles.
He is entitled to go close, but preference is for Gordon Elliott’s Beef To The Heels, who will be in receipt of a more than useful 8lbs. Beef To The Heels has been gradually progressing, producing his best effort to date when beaten five lengths into second by another Mullins inmate, Hats And Heels (rec. 9lbs), at Naas.
Lusiad shouldn’t be far away in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, over what looks to be an ideal trip for him, two and a half miles.
He didn’t quite get home, over to miles and five furlongs plus, at Fairyhouse last time when three and a half lengths runner-up to Profit Margin.
Once-raced Los Amigos gets the nod in the Bumper. He made a promising enough start when beaten eight lengths by Mount Colah on this track at Christmas and the fourth, Golden Firth, has won in the meantime.
