Mullins worried about ground for Vinny

Willie Mullins has slight concerns about the testing conditions at Naas ahead of Cousin Vinny's run in the EBF Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle on Saturday.

The six-year-old proved a different class to anything he met in bumpers last season, winning Grade One events at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

He got off the mark over obstacles with an effortless success at Leopardstown last time and Mullins is looking to get more experience into his exciting prospect ahead of a possible return to Prestbury Park.

"It's a nice opportunity to get some more experience into him and gives me an opportunity to get another run into him before Cheltenham, all being well," said the County Carlow handler.

"The conditions of the race aren't too bad but the heavy ground would probably suit Noel Meade's horse (Realt Dubh) better.

"However, it is hard to wait around for better ground and we want the horse to learn more about racing. Hopefully he can win as well."

Mullins' son Patrick will again be in the plate having ridden the horse on his five previous outings, but no decision has been made on whether he will keep the ride for the Festival.

"There are no plans on which race Cousin Vinny will run in at Cheltenham but he will be entered in all the novice races and we will see nearer the time. The same goes for all my novices," Mullins continued.

"We won't be making any decisions on that until the declaration stage as there is no rush. The same goes for jockey arrangements as we won't make plans until we know which horse is running where.

"I'm just happy Patrick gets on well with the horse and he knows him inside out."