Mullins' stars out in force at Punchestown
DUEL TO SAVOUR: Victorious in eight of her nine starts over hurdles, Lossiemouth faces her stiffest test yet when she takes on Champion Hurdle hero State Man on Saturday. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA
Willie Mullins takes the wraps off several of his stable stars at Punchestown on Saturday, with State Man and Lossiemouth set for a mouthwatering clash in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and Ballyburn poised to make his debut over fences.
State Man was faultless last season, successfully defending his Morgiana crown before also notching back-to-back wins in both the Matheson Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
In the absence of Constitution Hill, the seven-year-old went one better than in the previous season to claim the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before signing off with victory in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle for the second year running.
State Man will again make his reappearance at Punchestown, but will face a new and significant rival in the form of his stablemate Lossiemouth, who has won eight of her nine starts over hurdles to date and was unbeaten in three runs last term.
Paul Townend has been booked to ride State Man, with Patrick Mullins aboard Lossiemouth.
Paddy Power make Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill their 5-2 joint-favourites for the Champion Hurdle in March, with State Man a 3-1 shot.
Mullins is responsible for five of the eight Morgiana runners in all, with Daddy Long Legs, Sir Gerhard, and Winter Fog also declared.
The biggest threat to the Closutton quintet is undoubtedly Gordon Elliott's top-class mare Brighterdaysahead, who is race-fit following a comeback win at Down Royal three weeks ago.
Smooth Tom (Andrew Slattery) and No Looking Back (Oliver McKiernan) complete the field.
Many had Ballyburn as a potential Champion Hurdle contender following his brilliant novice campaign last season, but he is instead set to embark on a career over the larger obstacles in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase.
The six-year-old was beaten on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse last December, but went on to win his next four races including a hat-trick of Grade One triumphs at Leopardstown, Cheltenham, and Punchestown in the new year.
He will be cramped odds to make a successful transition to chasing in County Kildare this weekend.
The Grade Two Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase has attracted only three runners, all trained by Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud.
Stable jockey Jack Kennedy has seemingly sided with Cheltenham Festival winner Stellar Story over Rainbow Trail and Search For Glory, who will be ridden by Jody McGarvey and Sam Ewing respectively.
