Getabird and Mengli Khan to meet in race won by Vautour, Douvan and Min

Chaos reigned the last time Mengli Khan was in action but, despite crashing out in the most dramatic of races at a topsy-turvy Christmas festival at Leopardstown just a fortnight ago, the exciting novice hurdler could seek compensation at Punchestown on Saturday.

The Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle has also attracted promising Willie Mullins-trained duo Getabird and Carter McKay, and looks sure to be an informative contest with the Cheltenham Festival in mind.

Mengli Khan was in the lead when crashing out through the wings of the second-last flight in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown – a race in which two Mullins-trained horses fell at the last when vying for the lead – but is reported to have emerged from that drama unscathed by trainer Gordon Elliott.

"Mengli Khan is absolutely fine and chances are that he'll run on Saturday," he said. "However, it is still very early in the week and we'll make a definite decision in a few days."

The Gigginstown-owned five-year-old is a general 10-1 shot for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and his credentials look sure to be tested at Punchestown.

Mengli Khan bids to get back on track after seriously blotting his copybook at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

No trainer has a better recent record in the race than Mullins, the champion handler having won four of the past five renewals with Mozoltov [2013], Vautour [2014], Douvan [2015] and Min [2016].

Mullins also won the race in 2009 with subsequent Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle winner Mikael D'Haguenet, as well as the 2011 renewal with Gagewell Flyer, and he said that Getabird is likely to spearhead the stable's challenge this time around.

"I'd think Getabird will go to Punchestown on Saturday," he said. "He won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown in December and is in good form and handles the track. The ground won't be an issue for him."

Mullins has also entered impressive Gowran Park maiden hurdle winner Carter McKay, plus Makitorix, who was fourth and last of the four finishers behind stablemate Whiskey Sour in that eventful Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Speaking of the pair, Mullins added: "Carter McKay is also entered but he just had a little setback that forced him to miss Naas [last Sunday] so I'm not sure if he'll make it or not. If we're happy with him this week I'd say he'll go there as well.

"We've also entered Makitorix and there's a good chance we'll run him. This race comes at a good time for these sorts of horses."

Elliott has also entered Stooshie, Roaring Bull and Hardline in the race, Henry de Bromhead could be represented by High School Days and Tom Mullins has thrown Top Othe Ra into the mix.

Tom Taaffe plans to saddle recent Limerick runner-up Riders Onthe Storm.

Punchestown racecourse manager Richie Galway reported on Tuesday: "The going is soft to heavy with an unsettled and cold forecast for the coming days."

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