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Mallowney on trial for Punchestown

MallowneyMallowney
© Photo Healy Racing

Tim Doyle's Mallowney is likely to put his Punchestown Festival credentials on the line at Fairyhouse on Sunday as long as the ground is not too fast.

The eight-year-old would have been placed in the Irish Arkle but for tipping up three out, and was subsequently second to Bright New Dawn in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.

He was slightly disappointing next time at Leopardstown when third to Mount Colah, but Doyle feels that came too quick and the Coolmore Stud Novice Chase will tell him if it is worth lining up in the Ryanair Novice Chase at the big meeting.

"He'll more than likely run as long as there's no jar in the ground," said Doyle.

"They are watering so that is a good thing, it should be safe.

"Punchestown is the plan, but this weekend will tell us if we have any business lining up or not.

"I ran him back too quickly after Leopardstown, I think that was why it looked like he didn't get home over two-mile-one.

"He had a hard race at Navan and it left its mark so we've freshened him up. I think he stays all right.

"We missed Cheltenham and Aintree with him to keep him fresh for this time of year."