Elixir D’ainay ready to get Mullins off to flier at festival
When you peruse today’s racecards for Musselburgh and Wetherby, you could be forgiven for believing that the race times are a misprint; they are not. The first race at Musselburgh is actually due off at 12.57.
The British Horseracing Authority, in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland, is trialling staggered times in an attempt to help to prevent race clashes.
The issue has only come into focus since Racing TV took over coverage of Irish racing on Jan 1, 2019, and there has been some high-profile criticism. Tinkering with race times has been instigated to see if it solves the problem.
The trial will take place over 11 days this month – five Saturdays and six weekdays. Races broadcast on terrestrial TV in Britain and Ireland will, however, continue to use the customary race times.
The first beneficiary of the arrangement will be Leopardstown, which stages the opening day of the Dublin Festival of Racing when €2.1 million [£1.76m] will be up for grabs today and tomorrow.
It is hardly surprising that there are a host of Cheltenham Festival contenders on show as the rich purses and the timing – there are 38 days until the Supreme Novices Hurdle gets the action under way at Prestbury Park – combine to provide an alluring target.
Willie Mullins, equally predictably, is strongly represented and provides what could be the best bet on the card in Elixir D’ainay (12.50). Connections are certainly keeping their Festival options open as he is entered in three novice races over distances, ranging from two miles to the three miles of the Albert Bartlett. The fact the trainer is considering the three-mile contest perhaps suggests he feels Elixir D’ainay is more of a stayer.
However, although he may have been no match for the exceptional Envoi Allen at Naas last time, the pace he set was not that of a plodder and strong enough to ensure the winning time was fast. These rivals could have trouble keeping tabs on him.
Mullins may also spoil the party for the unbeaten mare Honeysuckle in the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle (3.10), when the best of his quartet is expected to be Sharjah.
The trainer also has an interest at Sandown Park, where Laurina attempts to get her season back on track in the Scilly Isles Chase (2.25). Getting 7lb from her rivals, she is sure to have a say in the event, but the progressive Good Boy Bobby may prove too strong.
His trainer, Nigel Twistondavies, also provides the day’s best wager, the improving Locker Room Talk at Musselburgh (2.40).