Fontaine advertises Cheltenham credentials

Willie Mullins strengthened his hand in the novice hurdling department with the victory of Quiscover Fontaine at Limerick.

Not as well known as his stablemates Hurricane Fly, Cousin Vinny and Mikael D’Haguenet, the five-year-old nevertheless continues to build a solid reputation for himself.

Winner of the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival on his debut last year, Quiscover Fontaine (1-2 favourite) has been campaigned over two miles to date but looks destined to be stepped up in trip.

Settled way behind a fast early gallop, Emmet Mullins gradually moved into contention at the second-last but made sure he did not ask his mount for too much effort in the desperate conditions.

A neat jump at the last saw him hit the front and he was not asked a serious question in beating Alice Bradys Call by one and a quarter lengths, conceding 10lb in the process.

The winning trainer missed the race due to being stuck in traffic but the owner, Brendan Doyle, said: “We were happy enough with that as he really needs two and a half miles.

“We’ve been keeping him to two miles on this ground as he’s only just turned five and we don’t want to bottom him out.

“From here on he’ll probably step up in trip and he’ll get an entry in the Ballymore Properties and the Albert Bartlett.

“He could go for the Michael Purcell Memorial at Thurles on February 26.

“He’s been showing more at home in the last month or so.”

Cashmans left him unchanged at 12-1 for the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival while totesport offer 20-1 for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.