MULLINS MARE TO LAUD IT OVER FAK

THE clash of Laurina, Fakir D’oudairies and Notebook in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice

Chase should light-up Leopardstown’s today’s action.

Only five will contest today’s feature, four of them boasting unbeaten records over fences. And, with a chase rating of 157 already established, the Joseph O’brien-trained four-year-old Fakir D’oudairies sets the standard.

A consistent juvenile hurdler last season, he beat dual

Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon when they made their respective chasing debuts in Navan last month before bagging a Grade 1 scalp in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse when, having jumped exuberantly, he was being challenged by Samcro when that rival blundered badly and made his exit at the second last.

Similarly, Henry de Bromhead’s Notebook is two from two since embarking on his chasing career, having scored twice at Punchestown.

He outpointed the experienced Moon Over Germany in a Grade 2 last time and, like Fakir D’oudairies and Royal Rendezvous, likes to race up with the pace.

But, with so much pace in the race, the high-class Willie Mullins, inset, trained mare Laurina, above, is expected to come from off the pace to land the spoils.

A Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fourth to Espoir D’allen in the Champion Hurdle last March, Laurina has always looked an exciting chasing prospect and duly delivered on her fencing bow in Gowran Park, when proving too pacey for dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Minella Indo.

The mare’s jumping improved as the race developed, which augurs well for her ability to cope with some fluent jumpers over this shorter trip.

The opening maiden hurdle produced Cheltenham Festival winners Klassical Dream and City Island last year.

And, this time, Henry de Bromhead’s Fusain and the Joseph O’brientrained Entoucas should prove tough to beat in their respective events.

Fusain did little wrong in Navan, when collared late by Festival D’ex and is preferred to Arthurian Fame in the opener while 130-rated Entoucas, narrowly beaten by Thatsy in Navan, sets a decent standard in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle.

The consistent A Wave Of The Sea, beaten by stable-companion Cerberus at Fairyhosue and re-united with J J Slevin, might have the edge over Punchestown winner Aspire Tower and French imports Aramax (the choice of Mark Walsh) and Echoes In Rain in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.

And Gordon Elliott’s Hamundarson is worth noting in the bumper.