First Grade 1: Paul Townend puts faith in Blue Lord for Echoes In Rain clash

4.15 Punchestown
eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m½f | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

The impressive manner of Echoes In Rain's 15-length Fairyhouse romp this month will have given Paul Townend a serious choice to make for his first ride back from injury, but the champion jockey seemingly believes Blue Lord represents a better chance of returning with a bang.

The market for the opening Grade 1 of a sensational five days doesn't reflect that view, though, with Echoes In Rain the slightly shorter-priced of the Willie Mullins-trained pair.

The only mare in the line-up has always shown plenty of natural talent but hasn't helped herself by running keenly, with Mullins sidestepping the Cheltenham Festival for fear that she could boil over in travelling to the Cotswolds.

Echoes In Rain: steps up to Grade 1 level after impressive 15-length win at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Already a Grade 2 winner over Belfast Banter at Naas in February, Echoes In Rain took her form to a new level last time when apparently relishing the strong pace in front of her in a nine-runner novice event of the same class.

It looks unlikely that she will have the same gallop to run at this time and that could result in her being overly keen, but there's no doubting she possesses a striking change of gears.

Blue Lord shaped as though a drop to the minimum distance would be ideal when second to Bob Olinger in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle over 2m4f, before giving the impression he would be effective over a touch further when third behind stablemate Appreciate It over 2m at Leopardstown.

He is proven at this track, having won a 2m½f maiden hurdle here in November, and was set to finish a well-held second to Appreciate It in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle when unfortunate to come down at the last.

Having arguably failed to settle as well as he could at Cheltenham, he is another who would be likely to enjoy a strong pace.

On all known form the remaining three appear to have a stiff task against the Mullins pair.

Uhtred (leader): had Dewcup (navy and green) behind when winning the Listed Future Champions Bumper at Navan in 2019Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Dewcup, who warmed up for this with a Flat maiden sixth at Gowran, raced prominently in an apparently slowly run Royal Bond Novice Hurdle when beaten eight lengths by Ballyadam in fourth, so he could potentially go forward.

Listed bumper winner Uhtred would have been entitled to need the run when fourth (later promoted to third) behind Thedevilscoachman in February on his first start since December 2019, while it wouldn't be a shock if outsider Colonel Mustard ran better than the market suggests as an unexposed improver.

Mullins: there's nothing between our two on ratings

The absence of Appreciate It came as a major blow but Willie Mullins still looks poised to make it six successes in the last seven runnings of the race, which has been won by star names such as Dawn Run, Moscow Flyer, Brave Inca, Hurricane Fly and Faugheen.

There may not be the same star quality in abundance this time, with the joint-smallest field since the turn of the millennium, but the champion trainer won't mind as long as one of his representatives hits the target.

He said: "Paul has picked Blue Lord, who fell at the last when destined for the runner-up position in the Supreme. He's a course-and-distance winner and his form stacks up."

Mullins added: "Patrick rides Echoes In Rain, who was hugely impressive at Fairyhouse last time. On official ratings there's nothing between our two and hopefully one of them will do the business."

What they say

Lorna Fowler, trainer of Colonel Mustard
He ran a great race at Fairyhouse on only his third run over hurdles and we know novices can sometimes improve a ton with each start. He's come out of the race in particularly good form and deserves to take his chance. He'll like the track, ground and trip.

Ted Walsh, trainer of Dewcup
He ran a grand race on the Flat at Gowran and I hope he'll run well here.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Uhtred
It was his first start after a long layoff last time, so you'd imagine he could improve for the run. He seems in good form and we're hoping he can pick up his share of the prize-money.

Read more on day one at Punchestown:

4.50 Punchestown: Willie Mullins takes aim with seven of the 25 runners in €50,000 handicap hurdle

5.25 Punchestown: Willie Mullins hopes two-mile experiment can make a champion of Allaho

6.30 Punchestown: Envoi Allen v Monkfish, the heavyweight showdown we have all been waiting for

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