Mullins and Elliott go head-to-head as Grade 1 winner Commander Of Fleet returns

Thursday: 3.30 Thurles
He'llberemembered Hurdle | 2m7f | 5yo+ | RTV

This has the makings of a trappy affair that could boil down to a Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins duel if ratings are to be taken literally.

Stratum has always been a classy operator on the Flat and brings some useful hurdles form to the table. Rated 142 and receiving 6lb from Gigginstown's 146-rated Commander Of Fleet, he's favoured by the conditions of the race and holds a fitness advantage over that rival.

However, while he wasn't disgraced in seventh behind stablemate Jazzaway in a valuable Galway festival handicap hurdle, he hasn't been running to his best on the Flat in two starts since landing the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Stratum: landed the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in JuneCredit: Edward Whitaker

Admittedly, the Lonsdale Cup and Prix du Cadran are stiff tests for any horse, but he was beaten by wide margins and the best of his hurdles form has been over shorter than he tries on Thursday.

On the other hand, for all that Commander Of Fleet won on his last start here in March, he hasn't replicated the level of form shown when winning a Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 as a novice or chased home Minella Indo in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle two years ago.

He's only had three starts, one of which came over fences, after missing 570 days leading into last season so may yet be able to find his best form again.

Shane Fitzgerald's 5lb claim is a useful asset, while the seven-year-old is a guaranteed stayer who should appreciate the relatively decent ground.

Holymacapony: not disgraced when third on his recent Galway comebackCredit: Patrick McCann

Holymacapony, rated 130, doesn't have many miles on the clock so is open to improvement and connections are reaching for cheekpieces after his Galway third on his comeback.

Charles Byrnes saddles two, with Doctor Duffy the most interesting of the pair. Nibblers Charm, trained by Ray Hackett, has a bit to find on ratings but has the benefit of race fitness after a summer campaign.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Commander Of Fleet
It looks a nice race to start him back in, having won here last season over three miles, and hopefully he runs well. Shane's claim will be a help to him.

Ray Hackett, trainer of Nibblers Charm
We're happy to take our chance before the ground gets too heavy because he doesn't want it overly deep. We're probably up against it but hopefully fitness will count for something and he can pick up some prize money.

Charles Byrnes, trainer of Doctor Duffy and Alpine Cobra
Doctor Duffy is a solid horse over hurdles and fences. This is a good race but we're hoping he can run well. Alpine Cobra has been disappointing and doesn't seem to like jumping fences. We're just hoping for the best that he can show something back over hurdles.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Stratum
He seems to be well-suited by the race conditions and Jack Foley takes off a valuable 5lb. The rain shouldn't do him any harm.

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