Foxy targeting hurdles glory Connections of Shesafoxylady are confident the three-time bumper winner can make a successful start to her jumping career in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle at Thurles. Placed on her first two starts in National Hunt Flat races at Galway, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old made it third-time lucky with a runaway victory at Punchestown in mid-October. She was given the race in the stewards' room at the same track a couple of weeks later before completing her hat-trick in Listed company at Navan. Shesafoxylady makes her first appearance in over three months on Thursday against 10 rivals, nine of those geldings, and Supreme Racing Club manager Steve Massey is anticipating a big run. Massey said: "I think Foxy should be hard to beat. "She's won three bumpers and she's in good form. You never know what can happen in maiden hurdles, but she jumps pretty well at home and we're looking forward to getting her started. "She doesn't get the mares' allowance as she's won a race and she has to give weight away to all of the others apart from one, but she should be good enough." The successful syndicate is also represented earlier on the card, with Chiltern Hills lining up in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Beginners Chase. The seven-year-old has been pulled up on two of her three starts over fences and was a well beaten sixth at Thurles at the end of January. "She ran a bit better last time, but it all depends which Chiltern Hills turns up," said Massey. "We think she'll be a bit fitter than she was on her last run here, so we'll see how she goes. I don't think she'll win, but I think she'll run a bit better than she has been doing and I wouldn't put anyone off having a few quid each-way on her tomorrow." The feature event of the afternoon is the Grade Two Boylesports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, which has attracted a field of seven runners. Mullins and Ruby Walsh combine with likely favourite Urano, but Dessie Hughes is hopeful Giantofaman can make his presence felt. The six-year-old comes back to two and a half miles after finishing a distant third behind talented Mullins inmate Clondaw Court over two furlongs further last time. Hughes said: "I can see him running a good race. It might have been stamina that beat him the last day but more probably he was beaten by a better horse on the day. "It's a bit smarter race than I thought it was going to be." The Edward O'Grady-trained Gallant Tipp also features in the line-up. The five-runner Boylesports Rated Chase is an intriguing conditions event, with the champion trainer's Rupert Lamb the pick of the field on ratings. Paul Nolan's Sweeney Tunes and Conor O'Dwyer's talented handicapper Competitive Edge could give him most to think about.
