'He has a huge amount of talent' - can Appreciate It advance his Arkle claims?

Punchestown: Monday

Jonbon has beaten a total of five horses in his two chases yet is as short as 4-5 favourite with BoyleSports to win the Sporting Life Arkle, but could Appreciate It finally be the one to spice up the race?

Winner of the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle by a staggering 24 lengths, Appreciate It has been seen only once since that explosive display, when he finished seventh in last season's Champion Hurdle after a 364-day break.

The eight-year-old has always looked like a chaser and a best price of 8-1 for the Arkle could plummet if he makes an impressive start over fences in the 2m beginners' chase (2.40).

Willie Mullins has reported Appreciate It's schooling to have gone just as well as it did last season before a setback put his chasing career on hold until this winter.

He said: "Appreciate It was jumping well at home last season before we decided to stay over hurdles after a small setback and he’s jumping well at home again this season. He looks a chaser in the making and if produces a clear round he’ll go close. I’m looking forward to seeing him chasing."

So too is Paul Townend, who echoed Mullins' views about his schooling, saying: "He has taken to jumping fences at home really well and I think he can be a top-level novice chaser. He has a huge amount of talent."

Mullins also runs Hawai Game, another chasing debutant, and is putting his faith in Danny Mullins to work his magic on the tricky customer.

"Hawai Game is a difficult ride. He wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea to ride but if Danny gets a clear round he’ll be staying on late," the champion trainer said.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Harmonya Maker and Deeply Superficial will put their Cheltenham credentials on the line in the Listed Free Entry On NYE Mares Novice Hurdle (1.40), a race the stable won last year with Party Central.

Deeply Superficial is generally a 10-1 shot for the Jack de Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the festival, with Harmonya Maker double that price in most lists.

Elliott said: "They're both very nice mares who won last time. Harmonya Maker jumped great at Fairyhouse and it wasn't hard to be impressed with what Deeply Superficial did at Galway. They should both run nice races."

Deeply Superficial: bids to underline her credentials for the Mares' Novices' HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins relies upon Saylavee, who didn't enjoy the rub of the green last time at Down Royal.

Mullins said: "She’s been very good in her homework and this trip will suit her. There are one or two hotpots in the race but she has every chance of being competitive. I’m very happy with her going into the race."

The JP McManus-owned Invictus Machin was a smart winner of a maiden hurdle at Down Royal last month and faces four rivals in a fascinating opener to the card in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Rated Novice Hurdle (12.40).

Gavin Cromwell, Invictus Machin's trainer, said: "He was good at Down Royal. The race kind of fell apart and it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on in this. It looks competitive and hopefully he’ll be thereabouts."

The Mullins-trained Polo Lounge is also in the line-up after a disappointing effort in the Royal Bond, albeit that was at Grade 1 level.

Mullins said: "It's a little sharp after his last run in the Royal Bond, where he was too keen and pulled up. He’ll need to settle a little more in a race like this to be competitive but, if he does, he has a chance."

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