Whizz aiming to book Festival spot

Tom Mullins is hoping Dr Whizz can overcome lack of experience when he has only his second run over timber in Sunday's paddypower.com Novice Hurdle at Naas.

The six-year-old, owned by JP McManus, landed a 26-runner maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas after winning his only bumper at Cork in October.

He faces eight opponents in the Grade Two heat as he bids to book his ticket to Cheltenham, where he holds entries in the Spinal Research Supreme and Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdles.

"He's done really well so far and beat the MCR Hurdle winner (Puyol) the last day, but the third and fourth were close enough too," said the County Kilkenny trainer.

"We're hoping he can step up to bigger things but he might lack a bit of experience. This will be only his third racecourse appearance ever. Otherwise I couldn't be happier with him.

"He loves jumping and is good at it, that's one of his pluses. We have no fear on that score, but it will be only his second run over hurdles. The others might be a bit slicker than him on Sunday, but he has to learn sometime.

"We'll see what happens on Sunday then it will be up to JP and Frank Berry (owner's racing manager) about Cheltenham."

Pittoni, trained by Charles Byrnes, also puts his 100% record on the line in a field comprising Coole River, Baron D'El, Start Me Up, Takestan, Thegreatjohnbrowne, Grey Soldier and Morning Supreme.