Irish Lass© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins sends a handful of runners to Clonmel on Thursday and all look to have leading chances.
The champion trainer frequently saddles multiple winners on these National Hunt cards and it would be no surprise to see him make off with a few victories at the Tipperary venue. Irish Lass will be aiming to step up in the New Inn Opportunity Rated Novice Hurdle after opening her jumping account at Limerick on her last outing.
The Getaway filly has a bit to go to emulate her half-sister Airlie Beach, but is already two from three in her career and made a bit of history in that Limerick win as it moved Patrick Mullins level with Ted Walsh on 545 amateur winners.
Having won her bumper at Tramore in fine style last season she was turned over at a short price on her hurdling bow at Downpatrick this June.
She did atone for that defeat at Limerick last time, just about grabbing victory late on.
Having drifted left approaching the second last she was untidy at the final flight and did well in the circumstances to snatch victory close home.
There definitely looks plenty of scope for improvement from her in this sphere and running off an attractive-looking mark of 111 she looks to have found a nice stepping stone. Brex Drago looks a big danger coming into the two-mile three-furlong contest seeking a hat-trick.
The smart Flat performer has got his act together over hurdles recently, with quick back-to-back victories at Kilbeggan and Listowel, and there may be more to come from Gavin Cromwell’s charge. Koroleva bids to make it third time lucky over timber in the Kilsheelan (Mares) Maiden Hurdle a couple of races earlier.
Mullins’ charge has been beaten at short prices on her two runs over hurdles since winning a Cork bumper in July.
She appears to have found a nice opportunity to set the record straight now and get her head in front over timber. Kerry Star looks sure to prove popular in the concluding bumper after a fine run to finish third on her debut at Sligo last month.
The Oscar filly looks entitled to step forward from that and the form looks solid with the fourth-placed horse, My Friend Aoife, winning since at Bellewstown.
Mullins also has a possible fourth runner on the card if Eight And Bob gets a run as first reverse in the Giantsgrave Handicap Hurdle.
The Big Bad Bob gelding went off 11-10 favourite when tried on the level at Navan on his first outing for the yard, only to slip up on the bend early on.
It would be no surprise if he was similarly short if making the field here.
