Un De Sceaux winning easily at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins sees Sunday's Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Thurles as the ideal seasonal starting point for his unbeaten gelding Un De Sceaux.
A dual French bumper winner before annihilating his rivals on his Irish debut at Punchestown in February, the five-year-old returned to County Kildare for the Festival and slammed Moscow Mannon by 13 lengths, and is seen in some quarters as a Champion Hurdle dark horse.
With a rating of 156, opportunities are few and far between, but he faces two rivals he should beat comfortably this weekend.
Mullins is keen to get a run under Un De Sceaux's belt before letting him test his powers against some of the big guns in the two-mile division.
Mullins said: "It was very hard to find an opening for him where he wouldn't have to be taking on Champion Hurdle candidates on just his third run over hurdles.
"It's important to win races. It's better for him to win this than finish third or fourth somewhere else.
"We're keen to take our time with him and I hope he can make the most of this opportunity."
Un De Sceaux, available at a general 25-1 for Cheltenham in March, concedes 7lb to his two opponents.
Rory O'Moore was fifth at Fairyhouse last week and is officially rated 30lb inferior to the Mullins runner.
Our Ollie makes his first competitive appearance since finishing second in a Sligo handicap hurdle in May of last year.
