Mozoltov can deliver on jumping debut

Patrick Mullins, who is striving to set a new record for the number of winners ridden by an amateur in a calendar year, can boost his prospects by guiding Mozoltov to victory in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

Twice successful in bumpers, this will be the selection’s seasonal and jumping debut, but that is hardly a worry.

Mozoltov’s best effort came in defeat at the Punchestown Festival in April, when a creditable third behind stable companion, Champagne Fever, and English challenger, Melodic Rendezvous, in a hot Grade 1.

Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Gold, no match for Don Cossack at Navan, is the obvious danger.

Mullins is fancied to complete a double aboard the frustrating Champagne Agent in the Gowran Park Racing Club 2013 Maiden Hurdle.

He nearly always finds at least one too good for him, beaten by the 15lbs receiving High Desert at Fairyhouse last time, but this weak heat does represent a very good opportunity.

Willie Mullins, who trains both Mozoltov and Champagne Agent, can also take the Gowran Park Golf Membership three-year-old Hurdle thanks to Dougal Philps.

Ruby Walsh does the driving here and we can expect him to try and arrive late on this useful flat performer, who has questions to answer regarding his stamina.

Patrick and Willie combine with Upazo in the Race That Stops A County January 24 Thyestes 2013 Maiden Hurdle.

He won two bumpers in his native France, but preference is for Tony Martin’s Umpact, himself a bumper winner in that country.

Pat Hughes’ Our Native Land gets the vote in the Bumper. The five-year-old was two and three quarter lengths second to Venture Capitalist over flights at Wexford last week and it is encouraging that the third was beaten a further 13 lengths.