Mullins aims for more Royal success with Makitorix Willie Mullins relies on Makitorix in a bid to win his eighth Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The Grade One contest has an incredible roll of honour, with the legendary Istabraq (1996), Moscow Flyer (1999) and Hardy Eustace (2002) all previous winners. Mullins first claimed the prize with Alexander Banquet in 1998 and has since added to his tally with the likes of Hurricane Fly (2008) and Nichols Canyon (2014) and won his third successive renewal with Airlie Beach 12 months ago. Makitorix has run just once since arriving from France, scoring by 18 lengths on his hurdling debut at Listowel in September, and Mullins is unsure what to expect. He said: " We had a couple of other horses that we thought might run in the race, but through one thing and another they don't and Makitorix has come to the fore. "He will lack a bit of experience, but w e'll take our chance and we'll know what we have on Sunday." Gordon Elliott is triple-handed in his bid to win the Royal Bond for the first time. Heading the team is Mengli Khan, who having been beaten over hurdles twice last season, has raised his game to register two impressive victories at Navan this term. "Mengli Khan is a different horse this year," Elliott told At The Races. " He was a big shell last year and he's a lot stronger now. "I'd say it was the best thing that happened that he didn't win a race (last season)." The Cullentra handler also saddles Hardline and Morgan. The seven-strong field is completed by the JP McManus-owned trio of Early Doors, Le Richebourg and Red Jack. Early Doors and Le Richebourg are both unbeaten over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien, with the owner's retained rider Barry Geraghty siding with the latter. Red Jack has won two bumpers and a Naas maiden hurdle for Noel Meade and tests his powers at the highest level under Sean Flanagan. Meade said: " Red Jack is 100 per cent. He's done everything right since Naas and everything has gone right. We've had no setbacks, he's schooled well and everything has gone well. "He'd want to step up a long way from Naas. It's a huge race and a very hot field, but he'll take his chance."
