Mullins set to go Foret

PUNCHESTOWN plays host to an interesting card where champion trainer Willie Mullins looks the man to follow.

Back at the track where he enjoyed such amazing success last month, Mullins looks to have good prospects of a treble tonight.

He can strike first with talented mare Asthuria, who drops in class for the two mile handicap chase.

This seven-year-old finished third to Footpad in a Grade 1 here last time, but she faces nothing of that calibre and she looks reasonably treated for her first handicap chase outing.

Mullins should then strike with Robin Des Foret in the novice chase as the smart eight-yearold looks to follow up his 17-length win on chasing debut at Ballinrobe two weeks ago.

Castle North can bring up the treble in the bumper having chased home a very smart looking Noel Meade inmate at Fairyhouse a month ago.

The maiden hurdle brings together some interesting types and hopeful vote goes to Joseph O’brien’s Santiago De Cuba.

This gelding looked well above average when he won his bumper last summer while he shaped with promise on his jumping debut at Navan in September.

On that occasion he finished fifth to the Grade 1 scorer Mengli Khan and the benefit of that first run over hurdles could enable him to carry the day.