Sforza aiming to make hurdles breakthrough Last year's Champion Bumper fourth Castello Sforza aims to make it third-time lucky over hurdles when lining up for the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday. The Milan gelding was a staying-on fourth in the Cheltenham Festival contest last year won by Ballyandy. Willie Mullins' charge has been turned over at short prices on both his timber outings this season and is now stepped up to two and a half miles. The form of his third-placed efforts at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown in December has been boosted since, however, and a repeat of those showings may be enough to make the breakthrough now. Chief among his rivals looks to be the progressive Mossback. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was beaten favourite on his last outing at Naas but still ran a fine race to finish third. The form of that race received a boost at the weekend when runner-up Miss Mardan scored at Navan. Elliott looks to have the one to beat in the opening maiden hurdle in the shape of Knockmaole Boy. The Echo of Light gelding made a very promising start to his jumping career at Fairyhouse earlier in the month when chasing home Bleu Berry. The form of that race looks strong as he has odds-on stablemate Chirico Vallis in behind. Agent Boru improved on his second hurdles outing when finishing a fine third at a big price over course and distance last month and Tom Gibney's charge looks the one who could give Knockmaole Boy most to do. The two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle on the card looks a competitive affair and She'llbeallright bids to follow up her success at Fairyhouse last month. She appreciated stepping up to two and a half miles last time having run on nicely over shorter at this circuit previously, and t he handicapper doesn't appear to have been overly harsh with a 6lb rise for her win. Kilkeaskins First, who fell at Fairyhouse when challenging two out, could be a big threat reopposing now.
