I'd say

With four Grade One events on the Leopardstown card, Mullins plans to run – among others – leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Ut De Sivola in the Spring Hurdle, Lambro in the PJ Moriarty and Sous Les Cieux in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle.

The last-named horse was beaten at odds-on after running keenly from the front at Leopardstown over Christmas, but remains towards the head of the pecking order in the eyes of his trainer.

"Things didn't go to plan there – well, not to my plan anyway," said the trainer, who was interested to find out that Nicky Henderson had supplemented Captain Conan to the field at the modest cost of €8,000 (£6,700).

"He [Captain Conan] will need to be pretty good to win, I'd say. I'll certainly be interested to see how he goes, because looking at the entries I think this is going to be a really good race."

Simonsig is the interesting one; if he wins easily over 2m he will go clear favourite for this

**** have already cut Sous Les Cieux into 7/2 from their opening 9/2 which I was happy to jump on

Willie Mullins says he is surprised Captain Conan is favourite and I agree. Probably drift by race time

Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Steps To Freedom remains on course to have a Flat run at Dundalk on Friday week.

As a smart performer on the level who is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, Jessica Harrington's six-year-old has plenty going for him with the Festival in mind, not least that he is already a Cheltenham winner having struck there in November.

Harrington has given her exciting youngster a winter break since, but he will soon be back in competitive action.

"He did a breeze on Friday and worked yesterday (Tuesday) and I'm very happy with him," the trainer told At The Races.

"He'll run in Dundalk on Friday week in a mile-and-a-half race and he then may go to Leopardstown for a gallop after racing on March 4. It depends how he comes out of the race in Dundalk.

"He was out in the field for six weeks and then we brought him back in and we've just been building him back up. He seems to be fresh and well. The great thing was we got him to Cheltenham in November and he travelled over well and he's got experience of the course now. So when he goes back there in March, he'll know where he is."

Another major Festival hope for Harrington is Oscars Well, who would have gone very close to winning last season's Neptune Novices' Hurdle at the meeting but for making a hash of the final flight.

His latest run behind Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle was his best of the season and Harrington is hopeful her charge can get closer to the reigning champion granted better ground for the Champion Hurdle itself.

Harrington added: "He stepped up again and he's been improving all winter. He has a high cruising speed and I'm not saying he'll ever beat Hurricane Fly, but as I've said to the owners, with some reasonable luck we'll run into a place in the Champion Hurdle.

"I think he ticks all the boxes as he likes good ground, he seems to like Cheltenham and he loves races that are run at a fast pace. Hurricane Fly is a very good horse. He's probably one of the best hurdlers we've seen since Istabraq, if not better. He's won 10 Grade Ones now and that's an amazing record

^^ 2 mile and goodish ground will be just fine

"I think he ticks all the boxes as he likes good ground, he seems to like Cheltenham and he loves races that are run at a fast pace.

Pretty much what some of us have been saying to be fair.

Hes had none of that all season and has still improved his rating throughout this season.
I expect his best run yet in March,be interesting to see where that gets him should that happen.
I suspect he will be placed.

wellchief
07 Feb 12 20:29 Joined: 17 Dec 09 | Topic/replies: 561 | Blogger: wellchief's blog
FWIW Paddy Power have offered me 25/1 for next years Champion Hurdle.

Would be wanting at least double that at the moment though

365 have come back with 33/1.  Again, would be wanting bigger than that at the moment.  Looking at oddschecker last year straight after Cheltenham Spirit Son was 14's - 20's, Cue Card was 8's - 20's, Sprinter was 14's - 25's, Al Ferof was 10's - 16's and Oscars Well was 14's - 20's.

I know I'm getting very ahead of myself at the moment, but I see him as the most likely winner of the Supreme at this stage, so I'd expect no more than 16's - 20's after Cheltenham (very much doubt a chase career is on the cards).

As I said, I'd probably want 50's at this stage, I'd expect some 20's to be around late March;just thought I'd keep you updated.

I'm tempted to take the remaining 12's with Laddies for the Supreme.

Re Simonsig possibly skipping Newbury, presumably because he would have to give weight to Colour Squadron whereas Keys would not.

I wouldn't be surprised if they both ran.

I think it would be very strange if Simonsig is fit and ready to go and they choose not to in preference of Keys.

Also, Keys is entered into a 2m5f race at Warwick on Saturday as well.

I don't think it is the trainers style to run 2 horses for powerful owners against each other at this time of yr at this venue. Simonsig has had 2 runs over hurdles and won, and run in points, so I have just assumed Keys (without a penalty) may be more likely to run - though I am only speculating. We will see.

I agree Judo - Simon screams chaser to me.

Whats the trainer said re Simonsig next season?

Would be very surprised if Simonsig does nt go chasing next season - thats gonna be his game

Simonsigg will be running in the neptune after the weekend

*threat

Regarding the Fingal Bay Sandown race, my initial impression after watching the race (will admit I haven't seen it for a few weeks) was that BG didn't kick early enough - he let Fingal Bay grab a few prescious lengths before he even moved on Simonsig and by then it was too late.

What Fingal found was impressive but felt that had BG kicked earlier it would have been a far, far closer finish.

Would agree Duncan, him and Tetlami would be my 2 against the field at present

PW narrowly beaten by the current favourite for the supreme? Agree that current prices suggest he's a far from certain runner but not that much of an outsider on that form. Only one i've backed so far though is Cash and Go, decent form and looks very resiliant which he'll need to be at Cheltenham

Totally agree Judo. Probably why PFN went handicapping with him also.

Its a good question though, form or profile? A mixture form me ...

Oh, and in the case of PW, I do not like the form or profile! (likewise Tetlami).