Champion Bumper winner Relegate clashes with exciting new McManus recruit

Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Mares Maiden Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+ | ATR

Tuesday treats don't come much tastier than Relegate versus Barrington Court – Cheltenham's Champion Bumper winner clashing with a filly who won a Listed Navan bumper by ten lengths and was snapped up by JP McManus immediately afterwards.

Relegate, who stormed home under Katie Walsh to deny stablemate Carefully Selected at Cheltenham in March, met awful traffic congestion approaching the final flight on her hurdling debut at Punchestown last month when turned over at 4-9.

Willie Mullins is hoping for better luck this time.

The champion trainer said: "Relegate didn't get much luck at Punchestown so we're hoping for better fortune this time. She jumps well and should be fine on the ground. She's in good form at home too so we're hoping for the best."

Barrington Court: emphatic winner of a Listed bumper last time outCredit: Patrick McCann

Jessica Harrington was surprised to see such a hot contest given its proximity to Christmas but hopes Barrington Court is up to the challenge.

"There was me thinking we could pick up a nice, handy mares maiden hurdle the week before Christmas with anything decent waiting for Christmas. How wrong I was," said Harrington.

She added: "It looks a very hot race but Barrington Court is a filly I have always liked and we are looking forward to getting her started over hurdles. She was brilliant at Navan and it will probably be similar ground here but I think she will go on anything really. JP [McManus] has bought her and hopefully she has a bright future."

Kildare Now Beginners Chase | 2m3f | 4yo+ | ATR

Duc De Genievres has yet to win a race for Willie Mullins but has still created quite an impression since arriving from France with his best display so far coming at Leopardstown in February when chasing home Samcro in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle.

He was again behind Samcro in the Ballymore, finishing nine lengths behind him in fifth, but chasing is expecting to bring out the best in the 146-rated hurdler who has schooled well according to Mullins.

"He was third to Next Destination in a Grade 1 at Naas so he will like the track. He jumps well and the trip should really suit him. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on," Mullins said.

Duc Des Genievres will not have it all his own way with 17 rivals in opposition and among them is the Jessica Harrington-trained Impact Factor who was a final fence faller when still in with a shout on his latest outing at Thurles.

Harrington said: "He was unlucky to come down at Thurles but we schooled him the other day and he was much better. He seems to be getting the hang of jumping fences now."

One interesting runner is Carter McKay, who makes his debut for Gordon Elliott following an absence of 277 days after winning two bumpers and a maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins.

Watch Duc De Genievres finish second behind Samcro in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle

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