MULLINS KILCRUIT IS NO WILD CARD IN OPENER

PETER O’HEHIR

THE Willie Mullins (above) trained Kilcruit, winner of the Grade 1 bumper at the 2021 Punchestown Festival and successful once from five starts over hurdles, makes his eagerly-awaited fencing bow in today’s opening Lily & Wild Beginners Chase and is difficult to oppose in Punchestown.

A distant third to Constitution Hill in the Supreme at Cheltenham, Kilcuit was last seen when fourth of five behind stable-companion State Man in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Festival here in April.

Built to be a chaser, the seven-year-old will be expected to register his third win at this track, at the expense of Henry de Bromhead’s (inset) Journey With Me.

Later, runner-up to Maries Rock in the Grade 1 Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, Queens Brook started 4/6 for a recent mares event at Limerick but, looking as if she’d improve form the run, had to settle for fourth spot behind Rebel Ivy.

Enough improvement is expected to turn the tables on the third, Paul Hennessy’s Heaven Help Us. And that might be enough to see her land the listed Frontline Security Mares Hurdle.

And, in receipt of 9lb from chief danger and Clonmel maiden hurdle winner Halibut, Noel Meade’s The Model Kingdom might prove best in the Sebden Steel Rated Novice Hurdle. Winner of a weak Tipperary maiden hurdle, she was too keen when third to Magical Zoe in a recent Grade 3 event in Down Royal and, if there’s plenty of early pace and she settles, she might prevail.