Dinoblue heads runners for Willie Mullins in bid to resume normal service

Thursday: 4.50 CheltenhamRyanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m1f | 4yo+ | RTV

Last year was the first time it paid not to follow Willie Mullins in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle as Henry de Bromhead saddled the first two in the sixth running of the race.

Mullins doesn’t have a De Bromhead-trained runner to worry about as he saddles seven this year and he’d be responsible for the first three in the betting if Allegorie De Vassy hadn’t been ruled out a couple of weeks ago.

Dinoblue has been installed as the favourite but she is going to have to be special to win this off the back of one run. Every other mare in the field has at least three runs under their belt and she would be an unusual Mullins scorer.

The trainer’s five winners of this race ran 34 times between them before obliging at Cheltenham, making an average of nearly seven pre-festival runs (four over hurdles and three in bumpers or on the Flat).

While Dinoblue could be the best-long term prospect in the field and undeniably created a deep impression at Clonmel on her debut, this is a big test in a 22-runner field.

Grangee, also trained by Mullins, rates a more straightforward conveyance. She was moving well before falling two out in the Solerina, but it would take a brave person to suggest with any conviction where she would have finished.

Those seeking an each-way play in the race may wish to consider Mighty Blue for Joseph O’Brien.

Rated 106 on the Flat, she finished third in the race last season. Two of the six Mares’ Novices’ winners were second-season novices and she was in the process of running a decent comeback when unseating JJ Slevin at the last at Naas last month.

That would have primed her for this and she receives 5lb from key players Party Central and Impervious.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Elliott's mare 'more than capable' of partying to Cheltenham glory

Gordon Elliott is double-handed and believes Dublin Racing Festival winner Party Central is “more than capable” of being involved in the shake-up.

Party Central, owned by Noel and Valerie Moran, the biggest supporters of Elliott’s yard, was a comfortable winner of a mares’ handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

For that, she made a mark of 121 look lenient when beating stablemate Say Goodbye by just under two lengths.

Say Goodbye has also been handed her shot at Cheltenham glory by Elliott here and the trainer is expecting both mares to acquit themselves well in this Grade 2.

He said: “Party Central was good at Leopardstown. This is obviously a big step up from what she was running in there but, from what we’ve seen from her this season, she’s more than capable of getting into the shake-up.”

Elliott added: “Say Goodbye pleased me at Leopardstown and I expect to see her coming home well again.”

What they say

Colm Murphy, trainer of Impervious
She has travelled over in great form. All we need is a bit of luck in running and hopefully she'll be involved.

Harry Fry, trainer of Love Envoi
I'm just hoping we get the rain, then we'd be very excited. All her form has been in soft or heavy ground and she's had a flawless campaign. This is obviously a deeper race but she'd be worthy of a chance if conditions are in her favour.

Alan King, trainer of Nina The Terrier
She's a big price but I've had Dusky Legend finish second in this at 50-1 and Midnight Tour do the same in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at 33-1 and she's every bit as good as they were. She's come out of her Sandown run in great form.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Tweed Skirt and Ahorsewithnoname
Ahorsewithnoname hasn't won a race over hurdles but that's only because we've been aiming a little bit high and getting black type. She'll be off to visit Golden Horn as soon as possible. Tweed Skirt has been doing very well and is running for the first time after a wind op, although that wasn't anything dramatic.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mighty Blue
I hope it won't be heavy as she'd like spring ground. On her run here last year, she has a live chance.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Nurse Susan and Walk In Clover
I've been very happy with Nurse Susan and this has been on her agenda ever since she won her first race. I don't feel she lost anything in defeat on very slow ground last time. Rain for Walk In Clover would increase her chance.
Reporting by Brian Sheerin

Thursday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: 'It'll be some spectacle' – key quotes ahead of Bob Olinger v Galopin Des Champs

2.10 Cheltenham: 'A Grade 1 winner carrying 10st, it's up to him' – clues for the Pertemps Final

2.50 Cheltenham: 'Everybody is up against it' – is there any stopping Ryanair banker Allaho?

3.30 Cheltenham: Paisley Park 'likes to have a laugh' but can he produce another miracle?

4.10 Cheltenham: 'He looks to have been overlooked' – analysis and trainer quotes for the Plate

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He's really turned the corner' – key quotes and insight for the Kim Muir

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