Willie Mullins aims for fourth Neptune success with Nichols Canyon

Willie Mullins admits Nichols Canyon puts him in mind of stable star Hurricane Fly as he bids to give the trainer a fourth Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle win in the last 10 years at Cheltenham today.

Fiveforthree, Mikael D’Haguenet and Faugheen have all struck gold in the two-mile-five-furlong heat for the Closutton handler and he highly rates the attributes of this year’s challenger, who runs in the colours of Andrea and Graham Wylie.

A Listed winner and Group Three placed on the Flat for John Gosden, Nichols Canyon has won three of his four starts over obstacles this term with his only blot coming when unseating Ruby Walsh in a Leopardstown Grade One at Christmas.