Limini© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins is keeping his fingers crossed Limini s jumping stands up to the test as she puts her reputation on the line in today's Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
A smart performer on the Flat in France, the five-year-old beat a strong field on her hurdling debut at Punchestown last May and bolted up on her only start since in a Grade Three at Fairyhouse in January.
Limini is a hot favourite to complete the hat-trick in the inaugural running of this extended two-mile contest and while some of her jumping has not been convincing, Mullins believes she has improved in that department.
He said: " Her form is very good and she shows us that at home as well. She has a fantastic pedigree - her dam is half-sister to Vintage Tipple, who won the Irish Oaks for my father.
"Her Flat form in France has worked out very well. Nicolas Clement wanted to give her one more run in a Listed race, which I think he thought she would win, but he didn't. The horses she beat have gone on to win Group races.
"Even though she jumped the way she did, she was still able to beat a fantastic field in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown very easily.
"Her jumping has been way better this season and if she can handle the hurdles in Cheltenham, she has a fair engine."
Owner Rich Ricci has already struck Festival gold with two mares this week, with Annie Power landing the Champion Hurdle in brilliant fashion and Vroum Vroum Mag dominating her rivals in the Mares' Hurdle on the same afternoon.
"She would not jump as well as these two mares but she has some engine. She is very talented and works very well at home. She could be anything and we would be hopeful that she has a big run in her," said Ricci. Danielle's Journey represents Stuart Crawford, while Gordon Elliott's pair of Water Sprite and Whistle Dixie completed the Irish-trained quartet.
Elliott said of the latter: "She was third to Willie's mare they're all saying can't be beaten. On the day, Limini won very well, but we came home with a few little problems. If we can rectify that, I'm not saying we'll beat her, but she's a good mare."
