David Jennings with an expert view on a fascinating Limestone Lad Hurdle

1.40 Naas
Limestone Lad Hurdle | 2m | Grade 3 | 5yo+ | RTV

If Willie Mullins is going to do something out of character and have a go at the Stayers' Hurdle with Benie Des Dieux he will need an able deputy in the Mares' Hurdle and perhaps Stormy Ireland could fill the void.

The six-year-old was second to Roksana at Cheltenham last year and has looked better than ever this season, winning both her starts in emphatic fashion from the front. A similar sort of performance here could give Mullins some food for thought with regard to his festival plans.

Stormy Ireland is rated 148 so the handicapper still thinks Sutton Place is 3lb better than her. The problem is we have not seen the nine-year-old since February of 2018 – 721 days to be precise.

Sutton Place: JP McManus's runner is returning to actionCredit: Caroline Norris

The presence of Mengli Khan in any race always causes a dilemma. He was third in the 2018 Supreme and filled the same position behind Defi Du Seuil in last year's JLT, so we know he has the ability. The problem is getting it out of him, and he has looked a pale shadow of his former self of late.

Similar comments could apply to Off You Go. He was rated 151 over hurdles this time last year, but has failed to find form over fences and is arriving on something of a retrieval mission.

While we are on the subject of retrieval missions, Franco De Port beat only one home in a Grade 3 hurdle at Limerick over Christmas, a race for which he was 2-1.

Australian challenger Big Blue was pulled up in the Christmas Hurdle won by Epatante at Kempton and Jetez was pulled up on his most recent appearance, so Stormy Ireland is the only one coming into the race at the peak of her powers. Hence why she is such a strong favourite and will take some stopping.

Key stat

Sutton Place is two from two at Naas and, when he won this race in 2017, he gave 5lb and a seven-and-a-half-length beating to Grade 1 winner Supasundae.

What they say

Georgie Dennis, stable representative of Big Blue
His run at Kempton was a tough ask for his first-time-out assignment and Sunday's race looks to be quite strong, but we think dropping him in grade will be more suitable. The ground looks like it's going to be ideal for him. He enjoys the wet in Australia and while it won't be wet by Irish or English standards, it should be at the mark that he likes.

Big Blue: out to make amends for Kempton disappointment

Willie Mullins, trainer of Franco De Port and Stormy Ireland
Stormy Ireland has been very consistent, winning five times over hurdles and being placed several times. The trip will be a bit short of her optimum, but she won well at Leopardstown last time and is in great form. The drying ground should be fine for her. Franco De Port was very disappointing at Limerick last time. He won in France last season and landed a novice at Gowran Park in November, but he'll have to show a lot more than he did last time.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Mengli Khan and Sutton Place
Mengli Khan has been very disappointing lately. We are going back over hurdles and hopefully it might spark him back into life but he has plenty to prove now. Sutton Place is a very talented horse but he's been off for a long time and has had problems. A nice clear round would be lovely with him.

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