Stuart Crawford's Mongibello could be the one to thwart Willie Mullins trio in mares' Grade 3

Willie Mullins is responsible for three last-time-out winners in this Grade 3 and they head the market.

Mullins' Aurora Vega, daughter of the legendary Quevega, acquitted herself well in five bumper starts and got off the mark over hurdles in good style at Cork in August before suffering a marked setback when pulled up as 1-10 favourite at Wexford in October.

Clearly she was not herself then and she got back on track in no uncertain terms when defeating the reopposing Mongibello at this track on New Year's Day, travelling well for a two-and-a-half-length victory.

The form has worked out well, with the third Cast A Spell landing a handicap next time, but Mongibello has sound claims of reversing placings for Stuart Crawford. She was having her first run for seven months and made a bad mistake two out when she was beginning to build a head of steam.

She won a novice hurdle over 2m4f at Perth in June when she pulled well clear with subsequent winner Clodders Dream, so she'll be much more at home over this distance and is 4lb better off with Aurora Vega.

Of the other Mullins runners, Baby Kate will also relish this extra yardage after thundering home to land a Naas 2m maiden hurdle last month having seemed booked for third after the last, while Fancy Girl won at Cork in good style but it doesn't look the strongest form on offer.

The forecast rain might scupper Beauforts Storm's chance but she was an excellent second in Listed company on her latest start.

Soft ground is also a concern for the Emmet Mullins-trained Dream On Baby but she will appreciate this distance as she found 2m on the sharp side last time.

What they say

Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, trainer of Aurora Vega, Baby Kate and Fancy Girl
Aurora Vega was found to be clinically abnormal at Wexford but got back on track at Fairyouse and I thought she was good. She has to carry a 4lb penalty, which doesn't make life easy. Baby Kate stays very well and I think the track will suit. Fancy Girl won well at Cork and she's more of a stayer, so this trip could be on the short side for her.

Tim Doyle, trainer of Beauforts Storm
The worry is the ground as she's never run on soft. She's in good order and it was a very good run at Thurles last time. We'll see how she handles the ground.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Dream On Baby
She ran a great race at Thurles. She seems in good form and the extra trip should stand to her. The soft ground will be a little worry. She's probably better on better ground but I hope she can handle it.

Stuart Crawford, trainer of Mongibello
It was a good run on her first start of the season and we had this in mind to go back to Fairyhouse. Hopefully she can come on for that and make Aurora Vega work a bit harder, although there are plenty of others we have to beat as well. You'd like to think the extra distance will suit based on her last run.

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