Flynn over the moon with Dice

Paul Flynn believes there is more to come from Moon Dice when the Galway Hurdle winner lines up at Cheltenham on Sunday.

Having already won his two starts in 2011, the six-year-old could still be relatively unexposed.

Flynn is hoping to capitalise upon that possibility in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

“He’s in great form and I hope for a big run, but I hope it doesn’t rain too much,” said the County Longford trainer.

“I know you could argue he only beat summer horses in Galway, but I’m sure he’ll give a good account of himself.

“Whether he’s good enough to win is another thing, but he won the Galway Hurdle fairly comfortably.

“I don’t think it looks as good a race as it did a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s definitely very competitive but in years gone by you’ve had Champion Hurdle horses win it.

“He’s a good horse and it looks like he’s improving.

“The rest of them are fairly exposed, even the Philip Hobbs horse that’s favourite (Pateese) has had lots of runs.”

David Arbuthnot has his fingers crossed Topolski can show his true colours after a poor run behind Brampour at Ascot.

That was the first blot on the grey’s record over jumps after being unbeaten in three runs last season.

“He seems fine, but it was a disappointing run last time,” said the trainer.

“He hadn’t bled, which I thought he had originally, but he had some mucus down there and he made a very bad mistake four out.

“He seems fine and I had him scoped on Thursday and he was as clean as a whistle.

“I would have preferred another week, but when you’re rated 150 you’ve got nowhere to go.

“You either go in this or go in against the big boys and we’re not quite ready for that.

“I’d go there hoping for a good run, but the last race leaves some doubt, so he’s on a retrieving mission.

“We’re taking 5lb off with Tom Cannon. He comes down to ride for us three times a week and he’s very good. That will certainly help and he’s not a big horse.

“As long as I get a good run I’ll be very happy.”