Mullins hoping Lagostovegas can shine in feature handicap hurdle

At The Races Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) | 2m1f, 5yo+ | ATR

The only success Lagostovegas has gained since joining Willie Mullins this summer came when winning a Flat handicap at this track last month, and having already scored at Killarney for her previous trainer, the mare will be bidding to record her third victory here in this valuable handicap hurdle.

Lagostovegas finished third in the amateur riders' handicap at Galway before filling that same position in an ultra-competitive 2m7f handicap hurdle later in the week at Ballybrit, and Mullins is hopeful of another good performance.

He said: “She's in good form and we think that returning to Killarney, where she's won a couple of times on the Flat before, will suit her.”

Timiyan bids to bounce back

Nobody is better represented in this €50,000 event than JP McManus with the high-profile owner responsible for three runners, two of whom, Timiyan and Plinth, finished down the field in the Galway Hurdle.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, believes the drop in class will help both horses and said: “Timiyan was disappointing in the Galway Hurdle but Gordon [Elliott] says he's come out of the race in very good form.

“He was just upped in class, and maybe he did not handle it, because he was struggling a long way from home – this isn't as competitive and hopefully he can bounce back.

“Plinth ran a respectable race in the Galway Hurdle and maybe the drop in grade will help him here. He has a lot of weight so Donal's [McInerney] 7lb claim will come in quite handy.”

The Shay Barry-trained After Rain will also carry the green and gold silks.

Berry said: “After Rain also has a good chance. He may not have been suited by the 2m7f and very soft ground at Galway and we think dropping back in trip and the nicer surface will help him.

"He has won over this course and distance in the past so we know he handles the track well.”

Top has turned the corner

The Tom Mullins-trained Top Othe Ra has been in the form of his life recently, defeating Golden Spear in a 2m handicap hurdle at Galway at the start of the month.

Mullins is hoping the nine-year-old can complete his third consecutive win and said: "He's been running better than ever lately and turned the corner.

“We said after he won at Ballinrobe that we wouldn't ride him from the front anymore and David gave him a lovely ride when he won at Galway.

“He has a nice weight and he's a real good summer horse so as soon as the winter comes we'll give him a little break.”

Golden Spear is in opposition again while the seven-runner field is made up by the Gigginstown-owned Lion In His Heart and Eddie O'Leary admitted he is more hopeful than confident of a good performance from the six-year-old.

O’Leary said: "He's a bit wayward but if he was to put his best foot forward he would have a chance.”

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