Elliott eyeing Moscow Flyer for novice pair Easywork and Andy Dufresne

Gordon Elliott appears to hold the key to Sunday's Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown with recent Grade 1 winner Abacadabras heading the entries. However the trainer has hinted that Andy Dufresne and Easywork will get the nod.

Successful in last year's running with Felix Desjy, Elliott will put his Punchestown contenders through their paces during the week before deciding on running plans, but reports Andy Dufresne and Easywork as the most likely starters.

Easywork has made a fine transition to jumping and was last seen running away with a novice hurdle at Limerick over the Christmas period, while Andy Dufresne suffered a first defeat when second to Latest Exhibition at Navan last month.

Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle entries

Elliott said: "Easywork and Andy Dufresne ran over two and a half miles last time, but they could easily come back in trip.

"I was impressed with Easywork at Limerick and he looks quite exciting.

"Andy Dufresne was beaten by a very good horse of Paul Nolan's last time and he's been in good shape since. The way he jumps and travels, two miles should be no problem."

Andy Dufresne: second at Navan last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

On Abacadabras, a 4-1 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle off the back of his Christmas exploits at Leopardstown, Elliott added: "We have also given Abacadabras an entry and we'll just see how the horses come through their work this week and make a decision on who goes where."

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Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in the €44,500 race having sent out Vautour, Douvan, Min and Getabird to score in recent years.

The champion trainer could be represented by Blackbow, Janidil and Tiger Tap Tap in this year's contest.

Captain Guinness, who took advantage of Blackbow's last-flight fall at Navan to run out an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead, may bid to provide the trainer with his first success in the race since Mister Watzisname triumphed in 2008.

The entries are completed by Joseph O'Brien's Anything Will Do and Meticulous, the Karl Thornton-trained Shanro and The Little Yank, trained by John Ryan.

Melon wins first chase as City island disappoints

City Island, last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner, is an intriguing entry in the Grade 3 Killiney Novice Chase on the same card.

Martin Brassil's stable star put in a lacklustre round of jumping on his chase debut at Leopardstown and may bid to get back on track over fences.

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