Willie Mullins double-handed in bid to continue red-hot run in Cork feature

2.13 Cork
GAIN Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

The festive period in Ireland was dominated by Willie Mullins and the champion trainer could well hold the key to Saturday's feature handicap hurdle at Cork given he's responsible for the two highest-rated runners in the line-up.

Paul Townend has opted to partner Bon Retour, who has been largely inconsistent since her success at the Galway festival on her first start for the stable in July.

The former French-trained mare went up to a mark of 130 (from 121) for that gritty victory but has now slipped back down a couple of pounds and is tried in a tongue-tie for the first time.

She wasn't the only one who struggled to land a blow when not disgraced in seventh behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Flooring Porter in a Navan handicap last time and if bouncing back to her best, she rates a serious player.

Stablemate Koshari would be interesting if he returned to the sort of form that saw him split Invitation Only and The Storyteller in a Punchestown Grade 3 novice chase back in January 2018, but that is a big if considering this is his first start for 875 days. However, his hurdles mark of 135 is exploitable if he's sharp enough.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Commentariolus is unexposed in this sphere and commands respect, having perhaps performed above expectations when fourth at Cork in his first handicap outing.

Dinard Rose, trained by Noel Meade, is a capable operator when bringing her 'A' game and this trip looks her optimum, but it's difficult to know whether she has anything in hand off a mark of 121.

Noel Meade on Dinard Rose: 'The trip should be fine for her but the ground is a bit of a worry'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The application of a first-time visor on Owenacurra Lass could be a shrewd move from the Declan Queally team.

Madison To Monroe has some classy form to his name but is tricky to weigh up on the back of understandably needing his return from a prolonged absence at Limerick last week.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Bon Retour and Koshari
Koshari has top weight on his first start for some time so it's going to be tough for him on this ground – I think he'd prefer better ground. Bon Retour has been a little disappointing, so I'm hoping that coming back half a mile in trip might see a bit of improvement.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Madison To Monroe
It was his first start after a long time off at Limerick and he was just getting tired when he made a mistake at the second-last. Having his second run after being off for a while, I don't know what to fully expect but I hope he can run a big race.

Noel Meade, trainer of Dinard Rose
The trip should be fine for her but the going is a bit of a worry as she may not be at her best on deep ground. She got balloted out at Leopardstown and was ready to run, so we're happy for her to take her chance.

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