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Gigginstown and Mullins go head to head in Craddockstown feature

Cadmium sets the standard in Punchestown feature
Cadmium sets the standard in Punchestown featureCredit: Patrick McCann

In a tasty head-to-head Gigginstown House Stud's recent winners Hardline and Mind's Eye take on the Willie Mullins-trained pair Cadmium and Voix Du Reve in today's feature race, the 2m Grade 2 Betway Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown (1.10).

In a race won by the likes of Sizing Europe and Sizing John, Hardline's trainer Gordon Elliott admitted yesterday that Cadmium would take all the beating.

The Mullins contender is a four-time winner over fences, twice at today's track and successful in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase over the course last month.

"Hardline won well at Fairyhouse and has been in good form since, but Cadmium has a lot of experience and will be a tough nut to crack," Elliott said.

Mind's Eye, who represents Henry de Bromhead, won on his most recent start at Wexford and will be renewing rivalry with Voix Du Reve, who beat him by seven and a half lengths when scoring on his debut over fences at Galway last month.

The Ted Walsh-trained Kildorrery, who won over the course and distance on his chasing debut last month, and Aengus King's Well Tom complete the six-runner line-up.

With Good Thyne Tara, Stormy Ireland and the long absent Ria D'Etel representing him, Willie Mullins appears to hold all the aces in the Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle (2.20).

Mall Dini, winner of the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Cheltenham in 2016 and 's, has failed to win in 11 attempts over fences and the Pat Kelly-trained eight-year-old will attempt to put the record straight in the 2m4f beginners' chase (12.25).
Mall Dini: won the Pertemps for Philip Reynolds and Pat Kelly last year
Mall Dini: beaten only half a length when second in the Kim Muir in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann
Those taking him on include the Elliott-trained Ben Dundee, a dual winner over hurdles, who finished third behind stablemate Delta Work when making his chasing debut at Down Royal early this month.

"It was a good run by Ben Dundee who was beaten only a length by the winner. You'd expect him to improve and he should run a good race, but with all his experience you have to respect Mall Dini, " Elliott said.

An impressive winner of a bumper on his debut at the festival meeting at the course in April, Commander Of Fleet starts off over hurdles in the maiden hurdle over an extended 2m4f (1.45).

Elliott said of the Gigginstown-owned son of Fame And Glory: "He was very good winning his bumper. He's a really nice horse and we're looking forward to tomorrow."


Punchestown card


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Racing Post Reporter

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