Rock Of Cashel Hurdle preview

French Grade One winner Rubi Ball makes his debut for trainer Willie Mullins in the Rock of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles tomorrow.

The eight-year-old won 16 of his 39 starts for Jacques Ortet, including the very valuable Prix la Haye Jouselin (Chase) at Auteuil.

Last seen at Pau in January when second in a Grade Three over fences, he now embarks on a new career with the champion Irish trainer.

Among his six rivals is Foildubh, who switched back to the smaller obstacles after finishing fourth to Arvika Ligeonniere in the Clonmel Oil Chase.

His owner/trainer John Ryan said: "He's in tremendous form, but I don't know how good Willie Mullins' horse (Rubi Ball) is. What I do know is that Foildubh will love the good ground - he'll hop off it.

"I was a bit disappointed in Clonmel where he missed the last two fences - if he hadn't he'd have been bang there.

"We have Paul (Carberry) on board. He loves the horse - when he'd ask him a question at the second-last or the last he'd always come up for him.

"I'd be hopeful - the likes of Seefood is in there, too, and he's another decent horse.

"Whatever will beat my fellow will need to be on the top of their game, though."

Thomas Cummins is not afraid to run Aughnacurraveel, although his nine-year-old is not suited by the race conditions.

"Rubi Ball is probably the horse to beat at the weights, but my lad has won those sort of races before (when wrong at the weights)," said the County Waterford hadler.

"He's in good order and the only reason I'm running him is because of the drying ground.

"The ground is important to him in as far as he'll handle real loose ground but not tacky.

"In Naas last time it was left-handed and he's not as happy going that way this season for some reason and the ground was also tacky there - he didn't want to know about it.

"The two-six will suit ideally so there's a good few pluses.

"He's had a long season, but he has a chance if everything goes right.

"If he runs well the plan is to go for the staying hurdle in Gowran on Thyestes Chase day (in January) and then he'll get a break.

"Mikey (O'Connor) rides and he goes better for him than anyone else."

Dessie Hughes fits Seefood with a visor for the first time in a bid to end a 12-month winless spell, while the field is made up by Dante Anna, Pirate Chest and Needed the Run.