The Willie Mullins-trained Sous Les Cieux puts his huge reputation on the line in what promises to be an informative renewal of the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
The champion trainer has always held the five-year-old in high regard and while he suffered an odds-on reverse on his hurdling debut at this track in January, he oozed class on his seasonal reappearance.
Sous Les Cieux takes a big jump in class from a maiden hurdle to a Grade 1 race, but Mullins is hopeful he can prove up to the task.
"It's a big step up for him, but he was good in Fairyhouse last time and we felt we'd take our chance with him," said the Co. Carlow handler.
"He did have a run over hurdles earlier in the year and was schooled all last season, so he has a bit of experience of jumping."
Mullins also saddles Midnight Game a beaten favourite on his hurdling debut at Punchestown a couple of weeks ago.
"The ground might not be ideal for Midnight Game and it's a big step for him as well," added Mullins.
"But he's not an easy ride, and we just felt he might learn a bit more running in a smaller field like this than running in another maiden hurdle with a lot of runners."
Second in the betting behind Sous Le Cieux is the Noel Meade-trained Il Fenomeno a winner of a Navan Grade 3 on his latest start, in which he beat highly-regarded stable companion Dylan Ross.
"He's in good form and was good the last day in Navan. I'd like to think he's going to Fairyhouse in every bit as good a form," said Meade.
"It's a very good race. Willie's horse is obviously pretty decent and there are some other good ones in there as well. Our lad deserves a go and we'll keep our fingers crossed."
The third major contender is Dermot Weld's Galileo's Choice a hugely impressive winner of a Leopardstown Group 3 on the Flat in September, and one from one over hurdles. Miss Nomer and Dazzling Susie complete the field.
