Relegate bids to provide a perfect start for Mullins in Grade 1 novice hurdle

12.50 Leopardstown
Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors 50,000 Cheltenham Bonus for Stable Staff Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 5yo+ | 2m6f | RTE2/RTV

Relegate, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival, heads a team of five from champion trainer Willie Mullins yard which has won six of the last seven runnings of this event.

Winner of a maiden hurdle at Naas on her most recent start, Relegate is the mount of Ruby Walsh and is joined in the line-up by stablemates Come To Me, Dorrells Pierji, Getareason and Salsaretta.

Tower Bridge provided Joseph O'Brien with his first Grade 1 win when landing this event a year ago and he is represented this time around by Rhinestone and Choungaya.

Dunvegan, highly-regarded by trainer Pat Fahy, was a seven-and-a-half-length winner of a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December but ran by far his worst race at this meeting last year when sixth in the Grade 2 bumper.

Gordon Elliott is represented by Commander Of Fleet, who finished last of four in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, and Defi Bleu who ran second in a Grade 2 event over 3m at Limerick's Christmas meeting on his most recent start.

The Noel Meade-trained First Approach, who finished alone in a three-runner event at Thurles on his most recent start, is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.

Malinas Jack, successful over 2m4f at this track on his hurdling debut in December, and Naas maiden winner Embrun Mitja represent Henry de Bromhead.

While Peter Fahey runs The Big Dog, a six-length winner over a shorter trip at Gowran Park on Thyestes Chase day.

What theysay

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Choungaya and Rhinestone
Choungaya is stepping up in class and trip. On paper, it looks a very competitive race but we’re hoping for a good run. It was a very messy race that Rhinestone ran in at Navan last time but he's been very well since and we're hoping the step up in trip will suit him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Come To Me, Dorrells Pierji, Getareason, Relegate and Salsaretta
Ruby (Walsh) has picked Relegate, last year's Cheltenham Festival bumper winner who is unlucky not to be two from two over hurdles. She was badly hampered at the last when a close second on her hurdling debut at Punchestown before winning at Naas. Going back in trip should suit her and the ground should be okay, although she would prefer slower conditions. Come To Me disappointed at Naas last time after winning a maiden at Cork by 17 lengths, Getareason and Dorrells Pierji, two consistent performers who will appreciate the trip, and Salsaretta who is stepping up in grade in her bid for a hat-trick. The form of Salsaretta's win at Limerick in December has been boosted since and she has a chance of being in the money.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Defi Bleu and Commander Of Fleet
Both of them came out of their last runs well and are in good form. They'll need to improve but we're happy with them.

Pat Fahy, trainer of Dunvegan
We think he’s a serious horse and this will tell us where we go. I think he’ll make a brilliant chaser down the line but this is very much D-Day as far as hurdles are concerned. It’s a hot race but we’re very happy with him and we’re expecting him to be in the mix. The ground should be perfect for him as it’s similar to what it was at Fairyhouse when he won his maiden.

Peter Fahey, trainer of The Big Dog
He appeared to win with a fair bit in hand at Gowran and came out of the race well. I thought he was impressive and while this is a much better race, we're very hopeful of a good run.

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