Blue Velvet should prove tough nut to crack

With the Punchestown experience under her belt, should take plenty of beating

Espresso Milan and Paul Townend (near) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle from Blue Velvet (far). Pic: Healy Racing.

The Willie Mullins-trained Blue Velvet, contesting the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares Maiden Hurdle, looks the banker bet on Monday’s Punchestown card.

A Gigginstown-owned, Blue Bresil mare, she won a Thurles bumper on her debut 13 months ago before taking her chance in the Grade Two event, won by stable-companion Bambino Fever, at the DRF in Leopardstown – she finished a well-beaten seventh.