Mullins has Cheltenham in mind for St Stephens Green

Rookie trainer Emmet Mullins could pitch St Stephens Green into battle in the Greatwood Hurdle this month after the gelding received a massive form boost after Heartbreak City finished a close second in the Melbourne Cup in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

St Stephens Green was only beaten a length by Heartbreak City in a handicap hurdle at Galway in July when trying to concede 6lb. The five-year-old fell when travelling well when last seen in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown last month, and Mullins said he has needed some time to recover since that fall.

“It was a bad fall at Punchestown and we'll take things one day at a time with him,” Mullins said. “The Greatwood at Cheltenham is still on the agenda. The weights will be out soon so we'll have a look at it in more detail then.