And more Cheltenham hopes in Ireland

Leopardstown too offers a very strong card with more Irish Cheltenham hopes on view. The Grade One December Festival Hurdle at 14.55 CET sees Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend) and Solwhit (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell), Ireland´s two main Champion Hurdle hopefuls, renew rivalry. Although Solwhit, who won this last year, once did beat his rival- Hurricane Fly´s only defeat in the last 4 years. the balance of form is clearly in the latter´s favour and he can win again. Mullins and Townend also field a strong candidate in the Grade One Dial-a-Bet Chase over 2 miles 1 furlong at 14.20 in the 2009 winner Golden Silver. However the ones to beat here are Big Zeb (Colm Murphy/ Barry Geraghty), winner of the Champion Chase in March, and Captain Cee Bee (Eddie Harty/ Mark Walsh). A much more likely winner for Mullins and Townend is Zaidpour in the Champions Novice Hurdle at 13.50. This Aga Khan-bred 4yo was most impressive when scoring at Fairyhouse a fortnight go and look s one of Ireland´ s brightest Cheltenham prospects.

Mullins is firing on all fronts at present and can also be on the scoresheet on a slightly less star-spangled card at Limerick with C´est Ca at 13.35 and Uncle Junior at 16.25, both partnered by his nephew Emmet.