Macs Joy Heads Red Mills Trial Jessica Harrington´s Macs Joy heads a field of four, including, Asian Maze, Essex and Ground Ball in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle (Grade 2) at Gowran Park tomorrow. Following his excellent run in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in late January where he finished a close second to Brave Inca and is likely to start a very warm favourite to go one better tomorrow before bidding for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 14th. Michael O´Brien´s Essex was disappointing in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown in late December but is better than that form would suggest and would have to be respected while the seasonal debut of Tom Mullins´ Asian Maze should generate plenty of interest. Winner of seven races last season, she rounded off her campaign with a stylish win in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last April and can make her presence felt.On the same card, Jim looks to have fine prospects in gaining an overdue success in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase. Jim Dreaper´s charge was narrowly beaten by Hi Cloy in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in early December before chasing home Central House over the same course in the Tied Cottage Chase two weeks ago and will appreciate the return to this two and a half mile trip. Michael O´Brien´s Forget The Past is sure to be a big threat having finished a good third to Beef Or Salmon and War Of Attrition in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in late December.
