Dual-purpose star Wicklow Brave bids to take advantage of 'good opportunity'

Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m4f | RTE & RTV

The definition of a dual-purpose horse has changed down the years, but Wicklow Brave has been something of a blast from the past in being able to mix it at the highest level on the Flat and over hurdles in an era when it has become increasingly difficult to do so.

Winner of the Irish St Leger and Punchestown Champion Hurdle in a glittering career that has spanned more than six years and included 14 victories, Wicklow Brave has been provided with an ideal opportunity to further his reputation and popularity in the Grade 2 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle.

No trainer has a better record in this race than Willie Mullins, who has won it seven times since 2007, while no rider is fonder of Wicklow Brave than Patrick Mullins.

Ireland's ten-time champion amateur was instrumental in securing that memorable Punchestown Champion Hurdle from the front in the spring of 2017 and, having been just touched off in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month on the ten-year-old, the jockey is hoping for better luck.

He said: "Wicklow Brave seemed to enjoy the step up in trip at Cheltenham and, now he’s getting that bit older, the longer trip isn’t a problem. He’s well in and it looks a great opportunity.”

Mullins may be the man who has managed to get the best out of Wicklow Brave in recent seasons, but his regular rider Jason Deere is the unsung hero in this success story, according to the rider.

Wicklow Brave (right) was collared late on by William Henry (left) in the Coral CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He explained: “He’s been a fantastic horse but a lot of credit has to go to Jason, who has played a big role in his career.

“Wicklow Brave is what you’d call a charismatic horse and at times he can be strong-willed, but Jason has always humoured him and kept his head right. There are very few horses like him, that’s for sure.”

Having finished second to subsequent Champion Hurdle hero Espoir D’Allen at Naas before producing that cracking effort at Cheltenham, Wicklow Brave brings the best form to the table, and Charles Byrnes, the trainer of Off You Go, is under no illusions about the task at hand.

Charles Byrnes: trainer of Off You GoCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Off You Go was last seen chasing home Tiger Roll in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, and Byrnes said: “He’s in good form and we’re looking forward to running him. On ratings he’s got a small bit to find with Wicklow Brave, who produced a great run at Cheltenham. He'll be hard to beat, but we’re hopeful.”

Triumph Hurdle second Sublime out to shine

Triumph Hurdle runner-up Coeur Sublime attempts to go one better in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Juvenile Hurdle (2.40), and he forms a two-pronged attack for Gordon Elliott, who also saddles Authorizo.

The improving Way Back Home has plenty to find at the weights but trainer Padraig Roche, who continues to impress after taking over from father Christy a little over a year ago, is hopeful of a big run.

Padraig Roche on Way Back Home: 'It’s a big step up and on ratings he’ll need to improve but, from riding at home, I think he has.'Credit: Caroline Norris

Roche said: "It’s a big step up and on ratings he’ll need to improve but, from riding him at home, I think he has.

"He’s progressing nicely and we’ve given him a bit of a break after his two wins, so he comes here in good form.”

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