Molly ready for Punchestown

Hairy Molly is set to bid for a Festival double in the Grade One Paddy Power Champion Irish at Punchestown on April 26.

The six-year-old beat Pressgang by a head in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and will be out to repeat that success in the €100,000 race.

Trainer Joe Crowley said: “He’s in good form after Cheltenham and is on course for the Bumper at Punchestown.”

Hairy Molly made it three wins from four starts at Cheltenham and Crowley has no concerns about the ground ahead of his latest assignment.

“His first two wins came on soft and then he won on good ground at Cheltenham, so it looks like he’ll go on anything,” he said.

As for the future, Crowley is looking for another big performance at Punchestown before making any definite plans.

“I’ll talk to the owner but I think he’ll go hurdling next season,” said Crowley.

“He’ll get a break after Punchestown and go out to grass, and then possibly go over hurdles at the back-end of this year.”