Mullins relies on Listen Dear in bid for fifth successive win in Gowran feature

Willie Mullins has won the last four runnings of the Listed Pat Walsh Memorial Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (3.50) at Gowran Park but Listen Dear will have to put a pair of bitterly disappointing performances behind her if she is to extend his winning sequence to five.

Listen Dear, who is rated 143 over fences, has been beaten a total of 66 lengths on her last two runs and Mullins admits she has it all to do to return to winning ways on her first outing over hurdles since June 2016.

Mullins said: "It is going to be tough for Listen Dear to adjust to hurdles having been chasing for the last couple of years. She has been disappointing of late and it's not going to be easy for her."

Western Victory made a bright start for her new stable at Galway last month. Now in the care of Declan Queally, the front-running six-year-old never saw another rival on the way to an 11-length victory over Awayinthewest, who reopposes.

Jessica Harrington: has a strong bunch of filliesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jessica Harrington is double-handed with Emily Moon and Echo Park, but is travelling to Gowran Park more in hope than expectation.

"Emily Moon has a chance but she is big and will definitely come on for the run. I just hope she can do herself justice. Echo Park won nicely at Down Royal but I wouldn't want the ground to get too soft for her," Harrington said.

Mullins might be pessimistic about his prospects of winning the first Listed contest on the card, but he is more hopeful of glory in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mucklemeg Mares Flat Race (5.30).

Ireland's champion trainer has won the race for the last two years with Ainsi Va La Vie (2017) and Yukon Lil (2018) and this time he is triple-handed with Getaway Gorgeous, Kalanisi Og and Jazzaway, who have all won their most recent starts.

"Patrick [Mullins] rides Getaway Gorgeous and her form looks very strong," said the trainer. "She was second to Gypsy Island at Ballinrobe first time out and won nicely at Tramore on her second start. She seems to be in good form.

"With a little improvement on her Galway debut, Kalanisi Og could be competitive too. Jazzaway will need to improve on her Sligo bumper win I'd imagine."

Harrington has a strong hand in the finale too, as she runs Coromandel Lady and Jelona.

The trainer said: "Coromandel Lady will absolutely love the ground and the more rain, the better for her. Jelona is still a maiden, so it won't be easy for her in such a competitive race."

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