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'Melon has come back a lot stronger and we're aiming for the Champion again'

Ireland's 12-time title winner gives the lowdown on his powerful team

Ruby Walsh: 'Willie doesn’t make a decision until he has to. We usually play it up in the kitchen and Patrick and David [Mullins] will be there as well.'
Ruby Walsh: 'Willie doesn’t make a decision until he has to. We usually play it up in the kitchen and Patrick and David [Mullins] will be there as well.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Lac Kivu
5g Sakhee - Poliaurea
Regulatory Finance Solutions Ltd
14-
RPR 114h OR -
He's a promising horse who won a 2m5f maiden hurdle in May 2017 before meeting with a setback. He's coming back to himself and will be running in staying hurdles.


Star quality

Laurina
5m Spanish Moon - Lamboghina
Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd
F2/1111-
RPR 154h OR 152h
She did very well last season, winning all of her four starts including the mares' novice at the Cheltenham Festival and a Grade 1 mares' race at Fairyhouse. Her owners are keen to go the Champion Hurdle route with her but it might be more realistic to aim her at the Grade 1 mares' race at the festival. We'll see how things go and she might start off at Ascot on Saturday. She'll need to improve to be a Champion Hurdle candidate. She's in good form and we're very happy with her.

Paul Townend with Laurina, who might start off at Ascot on Saturday
Paul Townend with Laurina: the pair are four from four together over hurdlesCredit: Patrick McCann

Limini
7m Peintre Celebre - Her Grace
Mrs S Ricci
113/213/
RPR 158h OR 152h
We kept her busy on the Flat over the summer and autumn and she'll be going back over hurdles in mares' races. She won the Grade 2 mares' novice at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016 but had her problems and hasn't run over hurdles since the 2017 festival.

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Racing Post Reporter

Published on inStable Tours

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