MEL OF A TEAM

Mullins readies big guns for Morgiana and shot at Samcro

WILLIE MULLINS is training the big-guns ahead of his bid for an eighth successive win, and a clash with Samcro, in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle in Punchestown on Sunday. The champion trainer, who will not finalise his plans until Friday, is responsible for five of the eight entries, including last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon, former champion Faugheen, last seen when bolting-up in the Ladbrokes Champions Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, and exciting mare Laurina, unbeaten in four hurdle starts, culminating in a Grade 1 success at Fairyhouse at Easter.

Mullins has won the Morgiana with Thousand Stars, Hurricane Fly (three times), Nichols Canyon (twice) and Faugheen in recent seasons.

And his challengers on Sunday will attempt to prevent Samcro, surprisingly beaten by Bedrock on his recent seasonal debut in Down Royal, from bouncing back to winning form and re-establishing his credentials as a potential Champion Hurdle contender.

With Jack kennedy suspended, Samcro will have a new partner on Sunday, although Elliott insists no decision on riding arrangements will be made until later in the week.

Also entered for Sunday’s race is Jessica Harrington’s Supasundae, surprise winner of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April, after both Samcro and Melon fell, independently, at the third last.

Sunday’s Punchestown card also includes the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase, with the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase now part of Saturday’s programme at the County Kildare track.

MULLINS MOB Melon, main, Faugheen, left, and Laurina hope to stop potential superstar Samcro, far right, on Sunday