GOLDENBOY!

Mullins’ star has edge at Leopardstown

Kemboy (3.30) can be the main man in the mouth-watering Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.

Willie Mullins’ talented star is set to shine in the highlight of day two at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The race is a belter with Delta Work and Presenting Percy putting their Cheltenham aspirations on the line.

But Kemboy looks the one on the form book. Having been held up due to the issues with his previous owners, the eight-year- old wasn’t knocked about on reappearance in the Savills Chase.

Mullins’ yak was brilliant when winning at Aintree and Punchestown last season and that’s the best form on offer. Trust it and the master trainer to have his charge in tip-top shape.

Leopardstown will be absolutely buzzing and the roof will come off the place if Mullins also wins the Flogas Novice Chase with Faugheen.

At the age of 12, he looked brilliant when slamming Samcro at Limerick in December and the former Champion

Hurdler is likely to be the favourite for this afternoon’s contest.

However, Samcro’s Giggingstown team-mate BATTLEOVERDOYEN (3.00) might be a tougher nut to crack.

Gordon Elliott’s improver has lost just once in his career and that was at Cheltenham last term. His form over fences is unblemished and, although it’ll be a tight race, you have to back the potential over the old boy.

Mullins has a great record in the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle and MT LEINSTER (1.55) or Blue Sari could shock Easywork in the Grade 1.

Aspire Tower is a red-hot favourite for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle and it is hard to find alternatives to the Henry De Bromhead hotpot.

But it might be worth having a crack at John McConnell’s exciting youngster NEVER DO NOTHING (1.25) who beat the jolly on the Flat at Ascot.

Hurdles form is different and there’s other smart types in the race but the massive gap in the prices means it has to be worth backing McConnell’s charge each-way.

There’s not just Cheltenham clues in Ireland with a brilliant meeting at Musselburgh.

One man to keep an eye on is McConnell. The Irish trainer loves having runners here and FRED THE FOOT (3.20) goes for the handler having won at the track last month.

This is a Pertemps qualifier and the eight-year- old might need to win to qualify for the big one in March. The fact title- chasing Brian Hughes has been booked is also noteworthy.

Anna Bunina is also a fascinating hurdling debutante for the handler in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle but her Flat rating leaves her with a bit to find on Alan King’s GROUP STAGE (1.45).

Down at Taunton, TACTICAL MANOEUVRE (4.10) can complete a hat-trick having been raised just six pounds for a course and distance win. Rex Dingle is a cracking booking in the conditionals race for Jeremy Scott.