Warning: be ever Sceaux careful as Mullins is brewing up another Hilly Way storm

Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase | Grade 2 | (5yo+ | 2m½f | ATR

Un De Sceaux played a distance second fiddle to stablemate Douvan in the run-up to the weekend's big two-mile chases, with the limelight on Douvan and whether he would show up at Sandown or Cork.

Last year Un De Sceaux came off the bench to win the Tingle Creek but he stays closer to home this time, with his higher-profile stablemate playing behind closed doors for a while longer.

His victory at Sandown 12 months ago came in typically dramatic fashion, and old habits seem to die hard with Un De Sceaux, with an edge-of-your-seat moment never far away.

Despite bulldozing his way through the final two fences in the straight, the terrier-like chaser managed to regain ground and momentum just in time to claim a memorable success, and this time around connections will be hoping for a similar outcome – and ideally gained in rather smoother fashion – in the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Owned by the O’Connell family, who are based just ten minutes from the track in Glanmire, County Cork, Un De Sceaux bids to start his season with victory in a race Mullins has dominated.

The Hilly Way was first run in 2001, and but for the intervention of Henry de Bromhead’s Days Hotel in 2012, Ireland’s champion trainer would be chasing a tenth consecutive win in the contest.

Un De Sceaux, a seven-time Grade 1 winner and winner of last season's Ryanair Chase, will be partnered by the trainer’s nephew David Mullins for the first time.

The nine-year-old is seeking to emulate such stable stars as the aforementioned Douvan, who won last year.

Mullins reports his crack chaser to be in top shape and said: “Un De Sceaux is fit and well and ready for action.

"Official ratings give him an excellent chance and the ground, the track and the trip should all suit him.”

He was on Saturday a 4-9 shot with BoyleSports to get the better of his six rivals.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Ball D’Arc and Clarcam
Ball D’Arc probably has the better chance. He’s in good shape and should have a chance of running in the money. Clarcam won last time but this will be a stiffer test.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Woodland Opera
He looks up against it taking on Un De Sceaux but two miles appears to be his trip on testing ground, and it will suit if we get the strong pace that is likely.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Alisier D’Irlande
He seems to like bowling along in front. Most of his form is going the other way (left-handed) but we thought that Cork, with its two long straights, would be worth a try.

Enda Bolger, trainer of Ballyoisin
He’s gone up in the ratings and there aren’t many options for him now. He’s in good order and we decided to let him take his chance when we saw there was going to be a small field.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Top Gamble
We go there very hopeful he'll run a big race, although we know it's a big ask up against Un De Sceaux and Ball D'Arc to name but two. Hopefully he'll have the heavy ground he loves, and he's back to two miles after running over further on his first run of the season.

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