Grounds for concern as Mullins and Elliott go cold on Dublin Racing Festival

Is it just me or should we not be a little more concerned about the fact that Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have gone on record in saying the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown would not be on the agenda for some of their stable stars because of the ground despite the meeting being over a month away?

On Sunday, after sending out the first and third in the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle with Ginto and Hollow Games, Elliott revealed that the winner would be far more likely to head straight to Cheltenham than take in the DRF because of the likelihood of good ground at Leopardstown.

The trainer's comments after winning the mares' bumper at Punchestown on New Year's Eve with Harmonya Maker were even more telling when asked if the impressive winner would take in the Grade 2 mares' bumper at the DRF on her next start.