Strong Mullins team at Gowran
Champion trainer Willie Mullins has enjoyed a superb run of form in recent weeks, and he looks the man to follow again at Gowran Park this afternoon where a seven race card gets underway at 12.35. Ceol Rua will be aiming to get back on the winning trail in the Goresbridge Novice Hurdle where she faces just four rivals.
The impressive Fairyhouse maiden winner failed to give a stone in weight to Leah Claire at Wexford last month but was far from disgraced in defeat and should be able to put it up to the boys, the pick of which is Make A Track
Charlie Swan 's charge improved to finish third behind Mount Benbulben in a Grade 2 at Navan last time.
He looks a bigger danger than Arthur Moore's Irish Grand National winner Organisedconfusion who needs a thorough test and will be seen in a better light when sent back over fences.
Mullins and Ruby Walsh also team up in the opening Christmas Championship At Gowran 3-Y-O Hurdle and, having recently introduced exciting French import Ut De Sivola in a similar event at Clonmel, the 140,000-euro Darroun is bound to prove popular here. Are Ya Right Chief showed a fine attitude to land a Fairyhouse bumper last month and looks another serious contender for the all-conquering duo on his jumps bow in the Santas Little Helper Maiden Hurdle.
Peter Fahey's Fairyhouse third Pride Of The Artic should give Mullins' Quaquo De Flotte plenty to think about in the Gowran Park Racing Club 2012 Maiden Hurdle, while Castle Wings is obviously going to need to sharpen up his jumping but seems to posses enough talent if getting round.
Mullins relies on Primroseandblue in the 26th Jan 2012 - Thyestes Day At Gowran Park INH Flat Race, although the seven-year-old failed to justify even-money favouritism on his last start at Clonmel in September.
Super Sonic Boom also looks opposable in the Xmas Voucher Gowran Gold Shop Maiden Hurdle, with Shay Slevin's Tabhachtach the one to beat.