Easy Game can spring surprise for high-flying Hayes

JUMPS fans are starved on these shores with harsh weather resulting in eight days without any Irish National Hunt action, but a top-class card sees things back with a notable bang at Thurles today.

It should be business as usual with Willie Mullins set to dominate as the 14-time Irish champion trainer sends a star-studded quartet into battle in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (12.45) with Allaho spearheading his classy team.

The prestigious Grade Two was won by subsequent Gold Cup winners Don Cossack (2015-’16) and Sizing John (’17) with Allaho the most likely to follow in their hooves as Paul Townend’s mount is favourably treated at the weights dropping back in trip following his fourth in the Savills Chase.

Annamix steps up in distance having been far from disgraced when chasing home stablemate Chacun Pour Soi at Christmas over 2m1f and is a live chance, but the drop in trip for Easy Game is what grabs most interest at the prices.

The seven-year-old has not excelled in his two efforts at three miles and laboured home seventh in the Savills Chase, but the 2m4f he tackles today is a different story as he has delivered at or near that distance.

This could be a red-letter day for jockey Brian Hayes (left), who is having his best season in the saddle to date, if he can settle into a decent rhythm and jump fluently as he locks horns with Gordon Elliott’s Battleoverdoyen once again.

Jack Kennedy’s mount is another big contender after defeating Easy Game in a similar event at Down Royal in October, but he comes here with doubts, having underwhelmed in the John Durkan, and it may pay to keep faith with Easy Game.

Mullins is also the man to side with in the opening Grade Two Mares’ Novice Chase (12.15), having landed four of the last six renewals, and Colreevy sets a high standard on the back of her recent Grade One success at Limerick.