Mullins: track, ground and drop in grade should suit Duc Des Genievres

Grade 2 Underwriting Exchange Novice Hurdle | Grade 2 | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ATR

In what is the recurring theme of the weekend, it is all about Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott locking horns in this tight Grade 2 novice hurdle.

Blow By Blow, who Mullins guided to Grade 1 Champion bumper glory at Punchestown in the spring of 2016, landed the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle by a comfortable five lengths last time for Elliott, and seems to be finding his stride over obstacles after a frustrating enough winter.

He is likely to be at the head of the market despite racing under a penalty, and while Elliott would prefer better ground for recent Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner Pallasator, he also expects the Qatar Racing Limited-owned gelding to run well.

Elliott said: “It’s a hot enough race but we’ll take our chance. It’s not ideal giving weight away with Blow By Blow, but he’s in very good form."

He added: “Pallasator is in great form and he jumped well when winning his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown. He might prefer a bit of better ground, though.”

Mullins, who is just shy of €500,000 behind title rival Elliott, is chasing back-to-back successes in this race after winning with 10-1 shot Al Boum Photo 12 months ago and is represented by Duc Des Genievres, Real Steel and Scarpeta this time.

He said: “Duc Des Genievres has competed at Grade 1 level on all of his three starts for us, and while he was a bit disappointing when fifth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham, his previous runs were encouraging. The track, ground and drop in grade should suit."

He added: "We tried Real Steel over three miles in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, where he was unable to get into contention, and we think the half-mile shorter trip might suit him better.

“Scarpeta was having only his third run over hurdles when fourth in the Ballymore. In view of his lack of experience it was a good effort and if he can improve a bit he’ll have a good chance of being in the money.”

If there's a potential dark horse in the race it may well be Tom Taaffe's Riders Onthe Storm.

The trainer said: "We've no real concern about the ground as he's won on it before. I'm looking forward to running him and think this step up in trip will suit. We'll see how he gets on."

The field is completed by Mount Hanover, twice a winner over hurdles for Henry de Bromhead, and Jessica Harrington's Jetz, who is being fitted with a hood for the first time.

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