Mullins all set for the Matheson Hurdle

Leopardstown, Thursday 29 December: The Christmas Festival at Leopardstown concludes today with a seven-race programme.

The first highlight is a Group 1 Novice Chase (4th race/14.45pm/100,000 Euro/4828m) in which the Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil (Paul Townend) is favourite after his runner-up finish at Fairyhouse. He will have to watch out for Gordon Elliott`s two charges, Three Stripe Life (Jack Kennedy) and Frontal Assualt (Jordan Gainford). The former did not jump clear recently, but before that he won a Beginners Chase in superior style. His training partner has already put in a good performance.

The Matheson Hurdle (5th race/15.20/150,000 Euro/3218 m) should be a prey for Willie Mullins, as the successful coach saddled three of the five participants who are among the closest favourites. State Man (Paul Townend) and Sharjah (P. Mullins) ran recently at Punchestown, where they finished first and second in the Morgiana Hurdle (Group 1). At the same venue, Vauban (Danny Mullins) was last at the expiry in April. He won the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Group 1) after pinning the Triumph Hurdle (Group 1) to his banner at Cheltenham.