Punchestown.com Mares Hurdle preview Patrick Mullins, son of trainer Willie, is happy with the form of the stable's Upsie, who missed a guilt-edged opportunity owing to abandonment of Clonmel last Wednesday. He is though respectful of rival, Layla Joan, going into Wednesday's punchestown.com Mares Hurdle. Ruby Walsh will ride J P McManus' Upsie, whilst the Closutton outfit have a nice back-up contender in the shape of the Bryan Cooper-partnered Gigginstown House Stud-owned Urticaire. Mullins said: "On ratings she's (Upsie) the one to beat. Her jumping can be a bit sloppy but if she can run anywhere near her rating she should take a lot of beating. "Gordon's horse (Elliott's Layla Joan) is obviously the interesting one. She has good form in England. "I'd suppose it'll be difficult for Urticaire being a novice going in against seasoned horses and she has to recover from a bad run last time as well. "All is well with Upsie though and she should take a lot of beating." The Jessica Harrington-trained participant, Burn And Turn has had her "wind done" and now has some of the better novice chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown in her sights. A novice handicap chase at the Irish National Hunt Festival could be on the Flemensfirth mare's agenda. There is an attractive programme of races there for horses like Burn And Turn who stays well. "She's fine but she hasn't run for a long time. The ground might be a bit heavy for her," reported Mrs Harrington on Tuesday afternoon. The aforementioned Layla Joan, a really progressive type, bids to put five 'ones' by her name, back on home soil, after a brace of Ayr victories. Gordon Elliott and Paul Carberry are the men in her corner. Ballinahow Lady, Kates Benefit and Nouveau Moulin complete the seven strong field.
