'The Tingle Creek is the plan' - can Gentleman De Mee make a winning return?

Saturday: Naas

Willie Mullins is eyeing up a crack at the Tingle Creek at Sandown next month for Gentleman De Mee and he warms up for that potential showdown with Shishkin and Greaneteen in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Poplar Square Chase (2.05) at Naas.

It may not be as simple as odds of 4-11 suggest, though, as Gentleman De Mee must give 9lb away to Coeur Sublime and 12lb to dual course winner Jeremys Flame in what promises to be an intriguing contest.

Gentleman De Mee is unquestionably the class act of the race having claimed the scalp of Arkle winner Edwardstone in the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting. The free-going front-runner is available at 14-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase next March but a best-priced 11-4 for the Tingle Creek.

Mullins said: "Gentleman De Mee is in good form and we're looking forward to getting him started. It looks a tough assignment, though, as he has his Grade 1 penalty and he has to give weight away to some good horses. The plan is to go to the Tingle Creek at Sandown after this."

Gentleman De Mee's biggest danger appears to be Coeur Sublime and Henry de Bromhead reports the former Triumph Hurdle runner-up to be in great form.

The trainer said: "Coeur Sublime is working well and seems to be in great form. He has plenty of ability and hopefully we will get that out of him on the track. He was just touched off in a Grade 1 at Punchestown the last time you saw him."

Gordon Elliott has won the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle (12.55) for the last three years in a row, most recent with Teahupoo, and will fancy his chances of making that four with Fil Dor.

Last season's classy juvenile, who would have won Grade 1s at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown had Vauban not been around, is rated 147 and could nick this prize before being sent over fences - where his four-year-old allowance could be a big bonus.

Elliott said: "We're thinking about sending him over fences as we feel the four-year-old allowance will be a very useful tool. He'll be dangerous if we do go down that route, but he's a talented horse over hurdles too. This race fitted into his schedule."

There may only be five runners but it looks quite a hot heat as last season's Boodles winner Brazil gets plenty of weight from his main rivals and Galway Hurdle third Prairie Dancer is among the quintet too.

Joseph O'Brien said of Prairie Dancer: "He's been a solid and consistent performer all year. This is a good opportunity for him to run another good race again and collect some more prize-money. The drier the ground the better for him."

Later on the card, Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Three Stripe Life makes his eagerly awaited debut over fences in the Mongey Communications Beginners Chase (2.40). He is 7-1 second favourite for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with only Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard a shorter price than him.

Elliott said: "He's a very exciting horse to be going novice chasing with. He's a Grade 1 winner already but I always thought he had the makings of a better chaser than hurdler. This looks a nice starting point for him and he's in good form."

Saturday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Can Pentland Hills buck the trends to win on Cheltenham chase bow?

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He has the right profile for this' - top trainers on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

2.55 Cheltenham: Why this intriguing jockey booking could be key to Lisnagar Oscar bouncing back

3.30 Cheltenham: 'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien's Bolshoi Ballet bids to bounce back before trip to Hong Kong

New Upping The Ante star Johnny Dineen joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the key horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.