No Leopardstown for Townend as Asterion Forlonge leads Mullins Grade 1 team

2.35 Limerick
Matchbook Betting Exchange Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 2m3½f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

Faugheen's sensational victory over Samcro in this race 12 months ago prompted the authorities to rename the top-level event in his honour, and the veteran's trainer Willie Mullins holds the key here once again with three of the five contenders.

The champion trainer has won this race a record six times and his standout player appears to be Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Asterion Forlonge, especially given Paul Townend is favouring a trip to Limerick over Leopardstown.

The Donnelly family-owned grey did well to finish fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle considering how violently right he jumped at key stages of the race.

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Naturally, he seemed more comfortable going right-handed at Punchestown on his chasing debut six weeks ago, winning with ease over subsequent wide-margin Navan winner Conflated. He is still a work in progress but clearly has a significant level of ability.

Stablemate Janidil arguably looked more professional when getting off to a winning start over fences at Naas a week later, giving the impression he could exceed the 149 rating he achieved over hurdles.

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old earned his stripes in handicap company last season before finishing a respectable fifth to Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, running well in the face of a huge step up in trip to three miles from two miles.

Saturday's mid-range distance could prove to be his optimum for now, and he proved effective on soft to heavy ground last time.

Janidil: impressed when making a winning debut over fences at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Those who envisaged Grade 1 bumper-winning mare Colreevy showing considerable improvement for the switch from hurdles to fences were not left disappointed after her 15-length romp on her introduction to chasing at Punchestown last month.

The seven-year-old showed a real appetite for tackling her obstacles and there's every chance we could see the very best of her in this sphere, having perhaps failed to reach the heights expected of her over hurdles, for all that she finished a solid fifth in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Gordon Elliott left Limerick disappointed last Christmas after chasing a hat-trick in the race with Samcro, but will be hoping to turn the tables on Mullins this time around as he saddles the talented Pencilfulloflead.

The strong stayer claimed the scalp of high-class Albert Bartlett runner-up Latest Exhibition in Grade 2 company last time, but there would certainly not be the same level of surprise now if he made the breakthrough at the highest level.

Carrying the colours of Robcour, he has always been held in high regard by connections but didn't reach his full potential over hurdles; he was sent off 5-4 favourite for a Naas maiden hurdle in January when beaten ten lengths by Asterion Forlonge.

The gap between the pair should not be as substantial over fences, but the mount of Keith Donoghue – who won his first Grade 1 in this race two years ago aboard Hardline – may need further to be seen at his very best.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Assemble, who was second to Asterion Forlonge on his point-to-point debut at Oldtown, completes the five-strong field and is no back number, arriving here following an unenviable task when second to Envoi Allen in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

The six-year-old looked a classy recruit to chasing when winning at Fairyhouse last month and the tongue-tie he sported in all three of his hurdles starts last season returns now, having been absent for his first two outings over fences.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Asterion Forlonge, Colreevy and Janidil
Asterion Forlonge was very good on his first start over fences at Punchestown. Going right-handed around Limerick in heavy ground looks like it will suit him best. He won a point previously and looks a chasing type. Colreevy seemed a real natural over fences at Punchestown too. The trip and ground will be ideal for her. I'm happy with Janidil but the form of his win at Naas has been let down a little bit, which is a worry. We're going down to Limerick for softer ground.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Pencilfulloflead
He'll love the testing ground – the softer the better for him. He was a good horse over hurdles but he's obviously a lot better over fences and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on in this.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Assemble
He ran with credit behind Envoi Allen in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. He will have learned a lot from that experience and hopefully he can improve again. It looks a very good race and I suppose the ground would be the one question mark, but he won his maiden hurdle there last year so hopefully it will be okay.

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