Excellent chance for Cilaos Emery as Saint Felicien misses Punchestown feature

Tote+ Pays You More On Tote.ie Hurdle | 2m3f30y | RTV

Willie Mullins has made winning this New Year's Eve highlight something of a festive tradition. The champion trainer has landed the last four runnings and in Cilaos Emery, Mullins has strong claims of extending that to five.

Cilaos Emery may have been campaigned over fences of late but he has high-class form over hurdles, including when fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle, and when winning the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in the same season.

He is also versatile with regards the ground but goes well on testing, meaning the forecast rain will be to his liking.

Conditions at Punchestown on Friday morning were described as heavy following 11mm of rain, with the forecast mainly dry and windy including some light showers.

Cilaos Emery: leading chance in Punchestown's feature event on FridayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It had the makings of an intriguing clash with up-and-coming hurdler Saint Felicien, trained by Gordon Elliott, but the French recruit was unfortunately declared a non-runner due to lameness on Friday morning.

Gavin Cromwell is double-handed with Darver Star, who was pulled up early after being hampered in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown, and Wolf Prince, a solid hurdler on his day.

Darver Star had Cilaos Emery behind in fourth when he managed to finish third in the 2020 Champion Hurdle, but he has been regressive lately and arrives with plenty to prove.

So, too, do the JP McManus-owned Early Doors, Off You Go and Charli Parcs. Three high-class horses on their day, it's likely that this race could prove a stepping stone for other targets for all three.

Whichever way you look at this race, it's hard to get away from Cilaos Emery being the standout performer, especially since the withdrawal of Saint Felicien.

What they say

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Wolf Prince and Darver Star
Darver Star got badly hampered in the Paddy Power and Keith [Donoghue] knew he was in here, so he wisely pulled him up. He's come out of the race well and we’re looking forward to running him. Wolf Prince ran a good, solid race at Navan the last day and probably ran to his mark. Both have solid place claims.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Charli Parcs, Early Doors and Off You Go
I suppose they're all on a comeback mission to some extent. Early Doors got a leg in the Galway Plate last year and this is his first start since. Joseph [O’Brien] seems to be happy with him and hopefully he will improve for the run. Charli Parcs has had loads of issues but is a classy horse on his day and hopefully he can run a nice race. Off You Go has also had a few issues and hopefully this run will bring him forward. He could slot in over fences or hurdles later in the spring.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Cilaos Emery
He won a chase at Thurles last month and is suited by these race conditions. He's fit and well and we're expecting a big run.

Place bets with seven bookmakers without leaving the free Racing Post app. Same prices, same offers, live video. Every race, every day. Search 'Racing Post App' to download for free