Mullins has 'changed things around' with in-form Concertista in mares' Grade 3

1.15 Leopardstown
Advent Insurance Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 3) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTE2/ITV4/RTV

Willie Mullins has won the last four runnings of this mares-only Grade 3 and will likely make it five-in-a-row with Cheltenham Festival heroine Concertista, who sets the highest standard in the champion trainer's trio of contenders.

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned six-year-old had been running below her best throughout last season before she catapulted into life in the spring, posting an impressive performance when landing the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle – a race in which she finished second on her debut over hurdles a year earlier.

However, she showed no signs of a slow start to this campaign when running out an easy winner of a Grade 2 mares' event at Fairyhouse last month under an extremely confident Paul Townend.

Concertista: ready winner of the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 150-rated performer locks horns once again with Minella Melody, second on that occasion, and is expected to confirm her superiority.

Concertista's stablemate Buildmeupbuttercup has plenty of experience but arrives after doing something she had never achieved before in her 26-race career – winning two races back-to-back.

Townend was seen at his best when galvanising her to get the better of Elimay in a Listed affair at Punchestown six weeks ago, but she has 3lb to find on ratings with the favourite when factoring in the 2lb she receives from that rival.

Mullins' remaining challenger, My Sister Sarah, is undoubtedly a capable operator on her day but needs to improve to match Concertista's quality, while the rival who could give the market leader most to think about is the Gordon Elliott-trained Black Tears.

Black Tears (right): landed a valuable mares' handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival earlier this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Winner of a valuable handicap here at last season's Dublin Racing Festival, she backed that up with a terrific effort to be second in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham behind the well-handicapped Dame De Compagnie.

She looked in need of her first run of the season behind Buildmeupbuttercup at Punchestown and is sure to improve. Whether she progresses enough to trouble Concertista is another matter.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Black Tears
I'd expect her to improve from her run at Punchestown but she'll need to because this is a hot race. For whatever reason, she seems to be a better mare in the spring and I think there'll be more to come from her after this, although you'd be hoping she'll run a solid race.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Concertista, Buildmeupbuttercup and My Sister Sarah
This was the obvious race for Concertista and we're very happy with her. We've changed things around with her this year and she seems in good form. Buildmeupbuttercup may find this trip a little bit far for her, while the opposite might be the case for My Sister Sarah, who could need further to be at her best.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Minella Melody
She's in great form and we'll see how she gets on. She hasn't run all that often going left-handed but she did finish second in the Aintree mares' bumper before [going left-handed].

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