WILLIE SET TO STATE HIS CASE...

WITH MORE than half the Grade One runners at the Dublin Racing Festival, is it going to be a beano for Willie Mullins?

It may not go all his way but you want to be on his good side.

Tomorrow’s big one is the Irish Champion Hurdle where he takes on the people’s horse, Honeysuckle. She returns after her first ever defeat in the Hatton’s Grace.

There was a shock about it and disappointment through the De Bromhead camp but I feel dejection has come too soon.

She faces a rival possibly better than any she has faced before. STATE MAN (3.10) has looked unflappable on his two starts this term, easily collecting both the Morgiana and the Matheson.

He has beaten every other top two-mile hurdler around, so it’s time to take down the last of them.

The Dublin Chase lineup is underwhelming.

Blue Lord was impressive at Christmas in a race that fell apart. If that did not turn out a strong Grade One, then this certainly won’t. It’s a field of five, of which four are past their best or out of form.

But that is not BLUE LORD’s (2.10) fault. He is a good horse, some will say a likely Champion Chase winner in six weeks’ time, but not me.

Willie runs five of the six in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase, but he has mighty opposition in MIGHTY POTTER (1.40), who was far too good for Gaillard Du Mesnil and Adamantly Chosen at Fairyhouse.

Flashy

At first I wasn’t overly taken by FACILE VEGA (3.40) in the Future Champions race at Christmas but having a look back, it wasn’t flashy but comprehensive nonetheless.

Pushing Facile’s odds out will be High Definition. A very good flat horse with Aidan O’Brien, he won well on hurdling debut after moving to son Joseph.

I’m not normally for short priced favourites but Facile Vega is solid if that’s your thing.

Don Mullins has plenty in handicaps too – HISTORIQUE RECONCE (1.10) was rated 116 after five runs in France, won a maiden hurdle here and is still at 116.

Gaelic Warrior will be all the rage in the valuable Liffey Hurdle but no horse has won this from top weight since Comedy Of Errors in 1973 and 1974.

Looking further down the weights the trainer also has TAX FOR MAX (4.10) under Daryl Jacob (pictured), an easy winner of a conditions hurdle last time, arrives in form with only a 3lb rise.

The Leopardstown Chase is normally not won by a young jockey on a young horse, but Sam Ewing is your ordinary young jockey. He’s a big name in the making on INDIGO BREEZE (2.40), who also has the potential to go further than this.