Mullins mulls over Maze mission

Tom Mullins has ruled Ladbrokes World Hurdle candidate Asian Maze out of any possible engagements over the next few days and is now looking to give her a prep race next month.

Mullins is coming down in favour of running his crack mare in the stayers’ race at the Festival rather than the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, but the seven-year-old will not be seen out this weekend.

“I am happy with her but not happy enough for her to run tomorrow,” said Mullins, after Asian Maze failed to appear among the declarations for the Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.

“There are no major problems with her but I don’t think it would do her any good to run.

“Cheltenham this weekend is unlikely too – but that might be off anyway – and there is talk about a race at Fairyhouse next month which Solerina might run in.

“There is also the Red Mills at Gowran and a couple of others to consider and while time is running out, things are cool at the moment.”

Mullins would be content to head to Cheltenham with just one run under Asian Maze’s belt, with his dual Grade One winner a general 9-1 chance for the World Hurdle.

“If I only got the one run into her before Cheltenham that would be grand and would do the trick; she wouldn’t need two,” he added.

“I would say she is 80-20 in favour of going for the World Hurdle and the ground doesn’t bother her too much – although she might just prefer it yielding to soft rather than on the better side.”