Joan aiming for Mares glory Willie Mullins looks to hold a strong hand in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Final at Fairyhouse on Sunday, but Gordon Elliott is hopeful Layla Joan can get in the mix in the Grade One contest. The Oscar mare was unbeaten on the racecourse until a first flight blunder unshipped Paul Carberry at Doncaster last month. Apart from that blip she has recorded two successes at Ayr to add to her maiden win in January. All of her wins have come in testing conditions and the unsettled forecast for the weekend holds no fears for Elliott's charge. "She seems in good form and will love the soft ground," said Elliott. "If we get some black-type we'll be delighted. She hasn't done a lot wrong to date." Jockey bookings look to offer little insight into any pecking order with the Mullins runners. Tony McCoy rides Gowran maiden winner Florishwells D'ete in the JP McManus colours and Davy Russell gets the leg up on Gigginstown's Urticaire. Urticaire was turned over at Limerick last month but steps back up in trip and on her previous run, second to Upsie, she looks a leading contender. Paul Townend rides Adriana Des Mottes for Rich Ricci and she looks relatively unexposed. The French-bred filly was brought down early in the Triumph Hurdle by stable-mate Abbyssial, who had beaten her here previously. The other Mullins runner is Beluckyagain, who looks to have a bit to find on recent form. Jessica Harrington saddles Gambling Girl, who bids to bounce back after a couple of disappointing runs in top company at the end of last year. She looked a very smart prospect when scoring at Down Royal last November but failed to make any impression behind The Tullow Tank in two Grade One races subsequently. "She's had a break and we would be a bit worried about the ground but hopefully she'll run a nice race," said Harrington.
