Uradel one of ten Mullins runners © Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins will be hoping to close the gap on Gordon Elliott in the trainers' title race at Fairyhouse on Tuesday when he saddles 10 of the 19 runners in the €100,000 Rybo Handicap Hurdle.
The master of Closutton fires plenty of arrows at the valuable prize and Paul Townend's presence on Uradel would suggest he's the number one pick.
He looked an improved performer when making a stylish return to action at Naas in Feburary, beating a decent field of novice rivals with ease.
The handicapper reacted by putting him up 9lb, but he looked well worth that raise then and could still be on a nice mark off 132.
Grand National runner-up David Mullins gets the leg-up on Meri Devie for his uncle in the two-miler.
She finished mid-division in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham on her last outing when getting hampered before the final flight.
The French-bred had previously run out a cosy winner of a mares' Listed event at Punchestown and looks another of the Mullins battalion who must to come into consideration.
Elliott saddles four in opposition and Yaha Fizz is an intriguing runner on his first outing for the Cullentra handler.
The gelding has been a star for owner/breeders Eamonn and Alan Delany and they have decided to try and maximise his potential by sending him to Elliott.
He ran a cracker over course and distance back in December when third to Davids Charm in a similar contest and runs off the same mark again now.
The powerhouse stables also face off in the Grade Three John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase.
The Mullins-trained Asthuria will be bidding to confirm form with both Dinaria Des Obeaux and Youcantcallherthat from Naas back in February.
The George Creighton-owned mare had that pair behind when chasing home Benie Des Dieux in the Listed Opera Hat Chase.
That was over two miles, however, and the extra half-mile here should see those rivals be more competitive.
The Denis Hogan-trained Youcantcallherthat just denied Dinaria Des Obeaux over two-miles-six at Limerick last time and it looks sure to be another close contest.
Mullins and Elliott are responsible for the entire seven-runner field in the Grade Two Boylesports Juvenile Hurdle.
Gigginstown gelding Mitchouka bids to bounce back to winning ways after an unlucky run in the Fred Winter when he was badly hampered early on and eventually pulled up.
Mullins runs four in the race and Saglawy, an impressive winner at Gowran last month, would be appear to be the primary hope with Townend taking the mount.
