Mullins: Nice opportunity for Thousand Stars
The nine-year-old has to give weight all round due to winning the Grade One French Champion Hurdle.
He was last seen finishing second behind his brilliant stablemate Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle and trainer Willie Mullins believes the grey is approaching his peak.
“Hopefully he’s back to his best form. He’s not run in Navan before, but I’m sure it’s a track he will be well able to handle,” said the Co Carlow handler.
“While he has got winners’ penalties, I think he is getting into better form, so I hope it’s a nice opportunity for him.”
Mullins also saddles On His Own, who has his first start since last year’s John Smith’s Grand National as his preparation for another crack at the Aintree showpiece gathers pace.
“I think he’ll handle the ground. It’s a nice introduction to get him back before the National and he won’t be as at home over hurdles as he is over fences, but I have to start him somewhere,” said Mullins.
Dessie Hughes believes his representative, Si C’Etait Vrai, has it all to do against Thousand Stars.
“He’s a very nice horse but he has a tough task against Willie’s horse,” said Hughes.
“Thousand Stars is not far off Champion Hurdle class. It seems like (in) all these conditions races you have to beat one of Willie’s.
“This looks the right race for him and he won well the last day.
“Anything from two and a half miles to three is fine, he’s qualified for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and he’ll probably run.”
Thyestes Chase winner Jadanli has his first run over hurdles for three years before being aimed at the Irish Grand National.
Trainer Paul Gilligan said: “He’s going over hurdles for a change of scenery.
“He’s in good form but we’re taking on Thousand Stars and On His Own. I do not expect him to win, but hopefully he will return home safe and sound. The Irish National is still the plan for him.
“I thought about running him in the Bobbyjo Chase but decided against it. If Cheltenham turned up soft, he might run in the JLT Handicap Chase.”
Whatuthink and Un Beau Matin complete a six-strong field.
Dessie Hughes expects Tofino Bay to take all the beating in the Irish Form Book Ten Up Novice Chase.
The 10-year-old has turned to chasing late in life but has shown very good form, including when beating Willie Mullins’ Aupcharlie at Naas last time out.
He holds entries in the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase and the Grand National in the spring and those options are still very much in the mix.
“He’s been running well and he’s really taken to fences,” said Hughes.
“I expect him to take all the beating tomorrow.
“It’s a small field which won’t bother him and I’ll expect we’ll make the running like last time.
“If he carries on progressing, we might have to look at the National as he’s 10 now.
“If it’s soft ground at Cheltenham, he may run in the four-miler. He’s good on heavy because they can’t get away from him but as long as its soft over four miles I think he’d be fine.”
Mullins runs Terminal in the Grade Two event, an odds-on winner at Cork last month.
“He has shown a good aptitude for jumping fences and I think this trip won’t do any harm to him,” said Mullins.
“Even though he has won on this ground, it is probably not to his liking. He would prefer nicer ground, but he has every chance.”
