The decision to re-route Mystical Power to the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday looks a shrewd move and the impeccably-bred gelding can grab a valuable Grade Two prize.
He comes here with a perfect record after a bumper and novice hurdle win in the summer and this two-miler doesn’t look like the strongest contest for the grade.
The son of Galileo and superstar mare Annie Power seems to have inherited plenty of their ability judged on the way he won at Galway in late July.
He made a couple of novicey mistakes on his jumping bow but cruised to the front turning for home for an impressive seven-length win.
Obviously he meets better quality animals at this time of year but it shows how well regarded he is that he was declared for the postponed Grade One last Sunday and this looks a nice opportunity for him.
His win at Ballybrit came on soft ground and while this winter going will be a bit more testing it shouldn’t be a major concern.
Willie Mullins also saddles Lombron in the race and he has to be respected.
The French import was a cosy winner on his Irish debut but it probably wasn’t the strongest contest he won down in Thurles.
He is entitled to improve a bit from the run but did have hurdles experience already in France.
A bigger danger may be the Gordon Elliott-trained Jigoro, who was impressive when beating a decent yardstick in Butcher Hollow at Navan last month.
He had stepped up on his initial run over timber at Cork the previous month and looks to have scope for further improvement.
Mystical Power looks to have a bit of class about him though and this wouldn’t appear to be the hottest Grade Two contest.
It could be another very profitable day for Mullins, and Blood Destiny is hard to oppose in the preceding Grade Three novice chase.
The No Risk At All gelding was very slick on his first outing over fences at Naas last month and looked a total natural over the larger obstacles.
He seemd very smart early on over hurdles last term and would appear to be the type to do even better over fences.
Lisnagar Fortune is another with obvious claims for Mullins in the maiden hurdle on the card.
The Soldier Of Fortune gelding just failed to get up and upset stablemate Readin Tommy Wrong at Cork in late November and a similar effort would make him hard to beat now.
One that appeals in the opener is Kates Hill.
The Jeremy mare ran a big race on her handicap debut at Naas last month when chasing home Money Heist. That form looks very good now, with the winner following up in some style at Clonmel on Thursday.
SELECTIONS
12.35 Kates Hill (Nap)
1.05 Blood Destiny
1.35 Mystical Power (Dbl)
2.05 Lisnagar Fortune
2.35 Mollys Glory
3.05 Glenmalure Lodge
3.35 Bonnie Kellie
