Sivola steps up to Grade 1 company Willie Mullins' Ut de Sivola looks poised to take the step up to Grade One class in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. The French import has made swift progress for his new trainer, taking a maiden hurdle at Clonmel and a Grade Three at Punchestown and looks one of the leading Irish contenders for the Triumph Hurdle at present. Mullins has also entered Darroun, Midnight Oil, Shamar and Gorgeous Sixty in a contest which has attracted four possible British contenders. John Ferguson's Asaid, who made a smooth start at Huntingdon, could be joined by Noel Quinlan's Crafty Roberto and two from John Quinn's yard in useful sorts Royal Bonsai and Countrywide Flame. Edward O'Grady's Sportsmaster and Dermot Weld's Hisaabaat, who was unlucky to come off second best against Ut De Sivola at Punchestown and has since finished second to Darroun, are others with claims. Also among the 17 entries are two for Gordon Elliott through His Excellency and Shadowcatcher.
