'She's a top-class mare in the making' - Allegorie De Vassy has festival prep

Allegorie De Vassy was overtaken by Impervious at the top of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase market following her win at Punchestown last Sunday, but the Willie Mullins-trained mare could wrestle back that position with a fluent display in the Grade 2 opener at Thurles.

The Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (1.10) was won by last year's Mares' Chase winner Elimay in 2020 and it should be straightforward for Allegorie De Vassy who, excluding the final two fences, jumped brilliantly on her chase debut at Limerick.

"She was impressive on heavy ground last time, which I didn't think would suit," said trainer Willie Mullins. "I'd think the nicer ground will be an advantage and she looks to be a top-class mare in the making. Unless she does something untoward she'll take a lot of beating."

The market suggests her biggest rival could be Brides Hill and Gavin Cromwell, who secured a double at Navan on Saturday, is expecting a big run.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Brides HillCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We gave her a pop over a few fences this morning [Saturday] and she was in great nick," said Cromwell. "Willie's mare might be unbeatable but I'm hoping we'll give her a run for her money."

In the Thurles Racecourse Hunters Chase (4.10), Billaway, a winner at last year's Cheltenham Festival, makes his first start of the season but Mullins has stressed he will come on for his comeback run.

"This is his first run of the season and we’ve elected to bring him to Cheltenham fresher this year," said the champion trainer.

"We’re putting cheekpieces on and David Christie has a couple in there who could give him a lot to think about but whatever happens our fellow will improve, and it should leave him nearly right for Cheltenham if we don’t have another run in between."

Billaway could face a stern test as Ferns Lock, only a six-year-old, was a wide-margin winner on his debut at Fairyhouse in November, having shown plenty of promise in three point-to-points.

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