A SALUTE TO KILCRUIT

Bumper winner leads Mullins Alana assault

BY

WILLIE MULLINS runs three in today’s six runner Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle – including Grade One bumper winner Kilcruit.

The Cheveley Park-owned Deploy The Getaway and County Hurdle hero State Man make up the trio.

Patrick Mullins, son of trainer Willie, said of the latter: “I’d be very disappointed if he’s not a Grade One winner in the future.

“He showed plenty of speed to win the County Hurdle and it’s just about splitting up the novice hurdlers. There is a fantastic crop there going forward for next year.”

Noel Meade (inset) and Gordon Elliott have a runner apiece in

Highland Charge and Three Stripe Life respectively, with the field then completed by Pat Doyle’s Flame Bearer.

The seven-year-old has won his past three starts, taking a Fairyhouse maiden before landing the Betvictor

Novice Hurdle at

Naas and then the

Tom Quinlan Electrical Novice Hurdle both Grade Two events.

“He has progressed nicely right through the season, from his hurdling debut in Cork last December, when he pulled too hard and blew up because we’d no gallop done with him due to the ground being so quick,” said Doyle.

“He has learned to settle far better now and was a bit unlucky in Naas before winning at Fairyhouse and then the two Grade Twos at Naas and Fairyhouse again.

“He showed a good attitude the last day

after getting stuck in a pocket to get up and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s in great order.

“The point-to-points are our bread and butter but it’s powerful to have a horse with a good chance in a Grade One at the Punchestown Festival, especially with (son) Jack riding and we’re looking forward to it.”