Mullins hoping Tiepy doesn't bounce Willie Mullins is praying the Connolly's Red Mills Thyestes Chase does not come too soon for his ante-post favourite Pomme Tiepy. The talented mare produced her best performance for some time when third in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. The champion trainer is expecting another bold show at Gowran on Thursday - as long as recent exertions have has not taken too much out of her. "I was delighted with her run in Leopardstown and she's starting to come back to her form," said Mullins. "I hope she has a good chance tomorrow, but I'm not sure the runners from the Paddy Power have a great record in the Thyestes and that is in the back of my mind. "She appears to have come out of the race well, though, so I'm quite pleased." Mullins fires two other bullets at the race in the shape of The Midnight Club and Ballytrim. "The Midnight Club is having his first run of the season but everything else will suit him. He has lot of weight for his first run, but we're hoping for the best," the trainer added. "Ballytrim will love the trip but I'm just wondering if the ground is going to be too soft for him." Dessie Hughes is confident last year's third Siegemaster will give his running, despite having to carry top weight once again. "He's in good form and has the same weight he carried last year when he ran a blinder to finish third," said Hughes. "Whinstone Boy won it last year and we meet him again, but we gave him nearly two stone that day and we're a lot better off at the weights this time. "He should run another good race." Hughes also declared recent Naas second Ten Fires for the race, but he is currently the first reserve. "I would have liked to have run him but it looks like he's going to miss out, unfortunately," the trainer added. "Hopefully something might come out and if he does get a run, he'd have an each-way chance as he gets three miles well." Whinstone Boy's trainer Jimmy Mangan admits his charge faces a much stiffer task this time around off a 20lb higher mark, but still expects him to give a good account of himself. "He's in good form and we were delighted with his run in Tramore the other day where he finished third to a good horse (Barker)," said Mangan. "It will be a good test of stamina tomorrow and I'm expecting a big run from him. "He has a lot more weight this year than last year and the lads under the 10st mark will probably be hard to beat, but our horse is 100% and we'll be delighted if he runs into the first four." A maximum field of 18 are set to go to post, with Alpha Ridge, Agus A Vic and Rocco's Hall other notable inclusions The meeting at Gowran Park is subject to a precautionary 7.30am inspection due to the forecast of severe frost.
