Asian Ready To Return Tom Mullins is weighing up options for his prolific mare Asian Maze and could give the seven-year-old her first outing since April at Naas on Saturday. The County Kilkenny handler had originally been looking at the Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on Thursday week, but is now considering the Cedar Building Hurdle this weekend. “She was going to go to Gowran but that might change,” said Mullins. “This weekend´s race is over a shorter distance and I thought the trip (two miles three furlongs) might suit her more after a long time off. “If she runs at Naas she could then go to Cheltenham the following week for the Cleeve Hurdle, but I am taking it day by day and will see what happens. “I just hope she stays sound as so many are bowing out with injury and I wouldn´t be running her on really bottomless ground.” Mullins´ charge missed the early part of the season with a haematoma on her hind leg having won three races on the bounce at the end of last term, including Grade One events at Aintree and Punchestown. She was among the 35 entries announced for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle released today, but connections are favouring a tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. “The World Hurdle is her mostly likely target and I just put her in the Champion Hurdle as mares get a 7lb allowance and you just don´t know what might happen in the meantime,” added Mullins. ? PA Sport
