Mullins holds strong hand in Thurles feature Aussie Reigns heads 10 contenders for the Cashel Rated Novice Hurdle, the feature at Thurles on Thursday. The €18,000 contest has attracted some of the biggest names in the training ranks, with champion handler Willie Mullins fielding Ruby Walsh's mount Livelovelaugh alongside smart ex-Flat runner Aussie Reigns. Fellow trainers' title challenger Gordon Elliott runs Carrig Cathal, while Henry De Bromhead sends Conrad Hastings and Jessica Harrington runs Thirsty Work, for owner JP McManus. Enda Bolger's Little Stevie and the Edward O'Grady-trained The West's Awake also feature in the main event. Harrington and McManus have strong claims in the Templemore Beginners Chase with Don't Touch It, who defeated Petit Mouchoir to win a Grade One novice hurdle at Punchestown last April. The gelding has failed to win in two chase starts this term but this race looks a suitable opportunity. McManus also appears to have strong claims with Itsallhappening, who contests the Killinan Handicap Hurdle from a rating of just 89. The Noel Meade-trained gelding was an eye-catching third at Fairyhouse last month and should be able to progress from that start. McManus' chief rival in the owners' championship is Gigginstown House Stud and the Michael O'Leary-owned operation is itself likely to play a leading part on Thursday. The Elliott-trained Champagne Classic lines up in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle, while the concluding Munster Bumper features the De Bromhead-trained Game Of War.
