Mullins takes strong team to Punchestown 'What does Willie run?' is a good starting point for any jumps meeting in Ireland and Champion Trainer Willie Mullins sends out four runners at Punchestown on Thursday, headed by a pair of well-owned, French imports Blazer and Min. Mullins' Blazer has his Irish start in the J.P. McManus colours and while just a four year old, makes his chase debut in the opening beginners' chase. Blazer was the winner of his third and final French start at Bordeaux in February and today faces Mullins' stablemate and Gigginstown House Stud owned Net D'Ecosse, himself a French winner in 2014. Net D'Ecosse showed ability on his two Irish hurdle starts but comes here on a retrieval mission having been an early faller at Thurles recently. Mullins introduces French import Min in the Festival Hospitality On Sale Maiden Hurdle and this Rich Ricci owned four year old does fit the part as a possible high class novice hurdler. Min ran twice at top jumps venue Auteuil in 2014 and performed with plenty credit to finish fourth (at Listed level) and third on both occasions. He has a Grade 1 entry over Christmas and clearly is expected to do well today. Mullins and Ricci's Thomas Hobson contests the Buy Your Annual Membership Hurdle and while his jumping has been lacking, might prove too strong for recent Clonmel winner Jetstream Jack. Elsewhere on the card, Ruby Walsh again takes the ride on recent Thurles winner Micras in the Go Racing In Kildare Badge Handicap Hurdle. Bred by The Queen, the Pat Fahy trained filly is beginning to translate her useful flat form over hurdles and might be able to defy her eight pounds weight hike. By Tom Weekes
