General Principle bids to extend Elliott's lead in trainers' title race

3.50 Limerick
Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase (Grade 3) | 3m, 5yo+ | ATR

Willie Mullins has won the last three runnings of this Grade 3 contest but the champion trainer's domination of the race will come to an end here as he has no representative. Instead it looks an ideal opportunity for Gordon Elliott to extend his lead over him in the trainers' championship as the current pacesetter saddles likely favourite General Principle.

The eight-year-old belatedly opened his account over fences at the seventh time of asking at Gowran Park earlier this month. He was left clear in front by the sixth fence fall of Dicosimo and went on to win by nine lengths.

General Principle's chief danger looks to be the fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned All Hell Let Loose who is back on home soil having proved a bitter disappointment in the Close Brothers' Novices Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Despite being pulled up there, Henry de Bromhead has issued an upbeat bulletin on his 132-rated eight-year-old.

Fortune was on Carrigeen Acebo's side when she swooped late to beat Misty Lady at Thurles last month but could only finish fourth at Navan earlier this month and looks to have it all to do with a rating of 116, 24lb inferior to General Principle.

Top team
David Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have a 20 per cent success rate when teaming up this season with 20 winners from 99 runners. They have also had a further 35 placed horses.

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of All Hell Let Loose
He was very disappointing at Cheltenham. He just never got going there and was eventually pulled up by Bryan Cooper. He seems to have come out of the race in good nick so we said we would let him take his chance.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of General Principle
What happened at Gowran Park was not ideal as he was left a long way in front by a faller early on. He still got the job done which was nice to see. This looks an ideal sort of race for him. He seems to stay well and he has been in good form at home.

Shark Hanlon, trainer of Adarenna
She's a nicely bred mare and I would be thrilled if we could get a bit of black type for her. It does not look the strongest of Grade 3s and I think the trip will suit her. I would be over the moon if she came third.