EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING
Buttercup can flower to win this battle
BUILD ME UP BUTTER CUP can continue the Willie Mullins domination of the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown today.
The champion trainer has won this race seven times in the last 10 years and is doubly represented this time around.
The recent Tramore maiden hurdle winner Harrie is the mount of Ruby Walsh but his stablemate looks to have stronger form claims.
Build me up buttercup was a smart mare in bumpers and her debut for Mullins at Navan suggested she could be a decent novice hurdler.
She might have most to fear from Felix Desjy who has been a little disappointing so far this season.
The Gordon Elliott inmate got his jumping career off to a bright start when bolting up at Galway in October.
The high class bumper horse has not been as good since stepping up to graded level but his last run at Limerick was much more encouraging.
He looked a likely winner that day before his stamina gave out and the drop back to two miles should work in his favour.
Meanwhile, in the Grade 3 novice chase it is hard to look beyond the claims of the Henry de Bromheadtrained A Plus Tard.
This French import has shaped up well on both his starts since coming to Ireland and his recent beginners chase win at Naas was encouraging.
In the maiden hurdle Gordon Elliott’s Vision D’honneur is the choice following a solid Irish debut at Leopardstown over Christmas.
In the opening novice chase Roxboro Road is a hopeful choice to strike for Ted Walsh.
This gelding was well beaten at Tramore last week but that was his first run since May.
A step up in trip and the benefit of that recent comeback could see him win a race that lacks strength in depth.