Mullins holds strong hand at Gowran Willie Mullins bids to embellish his impressive record in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase with top-weight Djakadam, and the champion trainer can also play a prominent role on the supporting card at his local track with strong contenders in most of the seven races. Briar Hill and Zaidpour should put it up to likely favourite Monksland in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, while Mullins and Ruby Walsh may team up for a quickfire double in the opening two events. Mullins is three-handed in the Nugent Spirit 25 Horsebox Hurdle, and Walsh has elected to partner new recruit Dicosimo. The Laveron gelding made most of the running when successful at Auteuil in the autumn, and is joined in the six-runner line-up by Verawal and Tarabiyn. Royal Caviar will be difficult to beat in the Langton House Hotel Maiden Hurdle. The point-to-point winner was first past the post twice in bumpers before filling the runner-up spot behind Windsor Park on his hurdling debut at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. That form has been well advertised since, with Lean Araig and Fletcher, soundly beaten in mid-division on that occasion, both scoring in recent weeks. The Closutton maestro indicated his intentions by supplying six of the original 11 entries for the P J Foley Memorial INH Flat Race and, with just five declarations, he holds a dominant hand with Stone Hard and Rio Treasure. Upsie is another Mullins runner to consider in the PMF Accountants Beginners Chase, although former stable companion Smashing may prove difficult to beat. Now in the care of Henry de Bromhead, the former useful handicap hurdler has run into a couple of very smart types since switched to fences this term. The six-year-old grey made the frame here behind Don Poli, and was taking on something special when runner-up to Un De Sceaux at Fairyhouse.
