Real Steel has mettle to cause another Mullins upset

ALL the signs suggest that this is a jumps season that won’t easily be forgotten and a vintage renewal of tomorrow’s John Durkan Chase (1.50) at Punchestown (racecard see page 17) is the cherry on top of another bumper weekend of Irish action.

It’s hard to justify getting involved at short odds with last year’s winner

Min given the quality of opposition facing Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old, with the likes of Presenting Percy among his eight rivals.

Presenting Percy, which went off favourite in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, hasn’t hit the racecourse since coming home lame from a disappointing effort in the Cotswolds in March but Pat Kelly’s charge could cause Min problems if injury is behind him.

The 2m4f is likely to be on the short side, however, with the same being said for Tony Martin’s Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly as he kicks off a season where another tilt at the blue riband and the Aintree Grand National is his chief priority.

Shattered Love, runner-up 12 months ago, is not without her chance for Gordon Elliott, but as often happens in these big Grade One contests,

Mullins’ main competition may come from within his own Closutton camp.

This year’s Arkle hero Duc Des Genievres should improve for his seasonal reappearance in the Fortia Chase at Navan, but course and distance winner Real Steel (e/w) may be the springer among the bunch.

Winner of a valuable novice handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival in May – which was won by the

brilliant Kemboy in 2018 – Real Steel showed further improvement when hacking up in a Down Royal Grade Two last month and he can do most to unsettle the hotpot.

Henry de Bromhead is in smashing form and the classy Minella Melody can continue the upward curve of the Waterford trainer against a couple of smart rivals in the Listed Voler La Vedette Mares Novice Hurdle (12.50).

Punters will also be treated to topclass fare at Cork tomorrow where the Grade Two Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase (2.35) looks like a duel between Mullins’ Cilaos Emery and Enda Bolger’s Ballyoisin, although it may be best to kick back and watch rather than parting with your hard-earned cash.

The earlier Grade Three Stayers Novice Hurdle (1.35) looks a very smart affair with several holding claims but it may pay to side with Well

Set Up, trained by Mark Fahey. The six-year-old has done nothing wrong in her five hurdle runs and having scored at this track in a Listed event over course and distance last month, Ricky Doyle’s mount could upset the big hitters once again.

The Grade Three Mares Novice Chase (3.05) is also packed with class and while De Bromhead’s Sinoria looks a very smart chaser, the value may lie in Elliott’s back-to-back winner Tintangle under Denis O’Regan.

There’s also a lot to get the teeth stuck into at Navan today where Noel Meade’s classy chaser Tout Est

Permis is an eye-catching entry in the eCOMM Merchant Solutions Handicap Hurdle (1.05) with Rachael Blackmore above the bottom weight, which is 34lbs lower over the smaller obstacles than he is over fences.

Aidan O’Brien is also eyeing more international success with English Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck leading his charge in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (5.40) at Sha Tin tomorrow.

O’Brien also saddles Mount Everest and Mullins sends True Self in chase of the €2.4million prize with O’Brien relying on Magic Wand as he eyes his first Hong Kong Cup (8.10) success.