Market Rasen first for Mullins

WILLIE Mullins (left) is due to have his first runner at Market Rasen on Thursday when he sends Panic Attack for the Alan Swinbank Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

With £20,000 up for grabs, fellow-Irish trainers Mags Mullins and Declan Queally have also made entries in Lady Temperance and The Getaway Star respectively.

Panic Attack, a four-year-old filly by Canford Cliffs, will be making her debut after missing an intended engagement at Cheltenham this season.

“We have an entry in the bumper and, hopefully, we’ll take it up,” said Mullins.

“She was balloted out of a similar race at Cheltenham, I hadn’t even thought of that possibility so it was a surprise, but you live and learn every day.

“My owners are adventurous enough and they are keen to travel for the prize money.

“She’s in good order and we’ll see what she can do.”

Meanwhile, Mullins’ Kemboy is among 15 entries for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on February 2.

The €250,000 contest is the most valuable event of the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown – and a fascinating contest looks in store.

Kemboy could finish only fourth when defending his Savills Chase crown but will be expected to improve for what will be his first start since winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in May – a race that will forever be remembered as Ruby Walsh’s swansong.

Mullins could also call upon last year’s winner Bellshill and Cadmium as he bids to add to his record haul of 10 wins in the race.

The race sponsors make Kemboy and Delta Work joint-favourites at 7-4.

Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work bounced back from a disappointing seasonal reappearance at Down Royal when lunging late to land the Savills Chase over the Irish Gold Cup course and distance during the festive period.

Elliott also has Shattered Love, Death Duty and Alpha Des Obeaux in the mix, while other hopefuls include Noel Meade’s Road To Respect, Jessica Harrington’s 2017 winner Sizing John and Warren Greatrex’s mare La Bague Au Roi.

The highlight on February 1 is the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle, which has attracted 14 hopefuls.

A four-strong Mullins team is led by Sharjah and Klassical Dream, who won and disappointed respectively in last month’s Matheson Hurdle at the Dublin circuit.