Retired Florida Pearl Unwell

Florida Pearl's condition is being monitored at the Irish National Stud as he continues to suffer from "a few issues", according to chief executive John Osborne

Friday Hurricane at Punchestown

Friday's action at the Punchestown Festival goes action after the track passed a precautionary inspection.

Officials checked conditions at 0800 BST ahead of the fourth day of the Festival meeting and reported the course to be fit for racing.

The going remains heavy but the card will begin at 1655.

Hurricane Fly will be the star attraction in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, one of three Grade One events on the card.

The 2011 Champion Hurdle hero at Cheltenham has lifted this prize at the county Kildare track in imperious fashion for the last two years.

Ruby Walsh's mount lost for the first time since November 2009 when only third to Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham.

"I'd be hoping for a lot more tomorrow than at Cheltenham," said Hurricane Fly's trainer Willie Mullins.

"He's been working well and seems in good form. Hopefully he can produce a good performance."

Mullins' stable will also unleash the committed grey Thousand Stars, who finished second in the race a year ago, and ran well to just lose out to Oscar Whisky in the Aintree Hurdle.

Zaidpour, who was eighth in the Champion Hurdle but had looked more his old self in minor races on testing ground earlier in the campaign, completes the trio.

Edward O'Grady's The Real Article appears the only possible threat to Mullins domination.

Barry Geraghty has the mount on The Real Article, who was placed to win a pair of Grade Two events at Tipperary and Down Royal in the early stages of the season proper.

Donald McCain's British raider Overturn was not declared for the race.

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Quevega Wins Ladbrokes

Willie Mullins' star mare Quevega landed the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown for a third successive time on Thursday.

With her recent campaigns restricted to the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this contest; the eight year old was having just her sixth start in three years and she has won them all.

In extremely testing conditions Whatuthink and Berties Dream took them along, but Quevega and eventual runner-up Voler La Vedette were always going well in behind.

As Ruby Walsh made his move on Quevega rounding the home turn Andrew Lynch followed suit on Colm Murphy's mare, who was so brave in defeat behind Big Buck's at Cheltenham.

That phrase can be used again here, as she travelled well throughout the contest but had no answer to Quevega's class in the straight.

The winning distance was five-and-a-half lengths at the line and the daughter of the increasingly popular stallion Robin Des Champs has now won 10 of her 14 starts over obstacles.

Mullins said: "She's a good mare. Obviously Voler La Vedette was in some form and had great form coming into the race so I was quite worried, but she did the business.

"We keep it simple - one run every six months!

"We've taken her to Auteuil once or twice but I'm not sure, we'll see how she comes out of this but we'll stick to the same programme next year I would think."

Asked if he could be tempted to clash with Big Buck's, Mullins said: "I'll take on Big Buck's at Cheltenham if they can get him entered in the mares' hurdle, is that good enough!

"The programme we follow works fantastic so I'm not looking for diversions.

"We follow a plan and it works well."

Reflecting on the victory, Mullins said: "She did what Ruby asked her and when push came to shove she still had plenty left in the tank.

"She pinged the last - not like here last year - and as we would never have minded taking on the best over two miles with her, we knew she wouldn't be found wanting for a change of gear.

"She won three on the Flat before she ever came to me. She's a real good mare and she showed that today.

"It was a fantastic performance and a great ride by Ruby too.

"She came in season last week but she came out of it quick enough."

Walsh said: "She was very good, we went a good gallop in testing ground but she settled well and jumped really well.

"Off the bend it looked the match that it was, but Voler La Vedette started to fold going to the last hurdle and my mare stayed better.

"I thought Andrew (Lynch) gave her a great ride at Cheltenham and never got into battle until as late as he possibly could, but Quevega's a great mare.

"Her programme suits me.

"Big Buck's is Big Buck's and I'd say the handicapper has it fairly sorted."

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Mullins Only Punchestown Winner

Ireland's Champion trainer Willie Mullins dominated on a truncated Punchestown card run in gruelling conditions.

Heavy rain, mixed with strong winds, forced the two chases, including the feature Gold Cup, to be abandoned on the day but that did not stop the County Carlow handler claiming four winners on an all-hurdles and bumper card which totalled five races.

Loch Ard got things underway for the Mullins team as he ran out a convincing winner of the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.

Wrekin Rock made a brave bid to lead all the way but he was headed by Walsh on Mullins' charge before the final flight, where he came down.

That left the 6-4 favourite to bound clear and score by 33 lengths from Un Beau Matin with Dysios third.

"We'll try to find another race for him if the weather stays like this but he's on the team for France and will probably go for the four-year-old hurdle at Auteuil next," said Mullins.

Walsh said: "Loch Ard travelled well, jumped well and found plenty in. He's a fairish horse and he did it well.

"The ground isn't too bad - the water is lying on top but it's all surface water. There's a good bottom to it and it is perfectly safe."

Patrick Mullins, successful earlier on Champagne Fever, doubled up, and made it four for his father (also successful with Marasonnien), as Flash Of Genius proved aptly named for the pair in the At The Races INH Flat Race, this time in the Gigginstown House Stud colours.

One Escapes

Shamiran became the only winner on the card not to be trained by Mullins when getting the better of British raider Weekend Millionair in a gruelling opening race as Punchestown's depleted all hurdles and bumper card got under way in difficult conditions.

The two principals were always to the fore as no other horse really got into the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Tom Bellamy tried to make all the running on the David Pipe-trained Weekend Millionair, but he was accompanied all the way by Shamiran (12-1) in the hands of Ian McCarthy.

Shamiran took it up just before the final flight and pulled away to score by two and three-quarter lengths for County Kildare trainer Stephen Nolan. Streets Of Newyork was third just ahead of Beau Michael.

"I think conditions are perfectly safe. The horses are getting through it," McCarthy told At The Races.

"Six or seven of us lined up to make it. My lad took a bit of a tug going to the first and I jumped to the front. I was able to steady it up everywhere I need to and suit myself.

"He's a tough little horse. We were going into the unknown up to two and a half and in these conditions.

"In fairness he battled and galloped all the way to the line.

"There are a few puddles here and there, but they are getting through it and my horse came fresh enough out of it."

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Sizing Europe Wins Champion

Sizing Europe recovered from his Cheltenham Festival defeat to win the Champion Chase on the opening day of the big Punchestown meeting.

The 10-year-old lost his Queen Mother Champion Chase title last month when beaten by Finian's Rainbow.

However, he had two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare from Realt Dubh on Tuesday in testing ground.

Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect Sir Des Champs survived a final-fence scare to win the Novice Chase.

Willie Mullins' horse, ante-post favourite for next year's Gold Cup, led by four lengths heading into the last but he very nearly unseated jockey Davy Russell before clinching a 36-length victory as his nearest challengers Mossey Joe and Frisco Depot both fell.

Sizing Europe had suffered his Cheltenham Festival defeat after both he and Finian's Rainbow were forced to bypass the last fence after an earlier fall.

After China Rock led early on in Tuesday's Punchestown race, Sizing Europe moved into the lead after the fourth last and while Realt Dubh, with Paul Carberry on board, threatened on the run-in, Andrew Lynch guided Henry de Bromhead's horse to victory.

Last year's winner Big Zeb was some distance back in third place.

"He was super," said winning trainer De Bromhead after his horse's fifth Grade One victory over fences.

"I was just getting a bit worried that we were going to be caught but we're delighted."

Sir Des Champs stretched his unbeaten run to seven races since joining the Willie Mullins stable with his Novice Chase win but his struggles at the last in the moderate field despite the race's Grade One status will be a concern for his backers.

The six-year-old was sent off the 2-7 favourite following a superb performance in the Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, and was stepping up to Grade One level for the first time.

With Mossey Joe suffering a horrible fall at the same fence when running a big race, hampering Frisco Depot who unseated his rider, Sir Des Champs came home 36 lengths ahead of Shop DJ.

Meanwhile, Philip Hobbs produced a superb training performance as his Snap Tie returned from over 900 days off the track to land the handicap hurdle on day one at Punchestown.

The 10-year-old had last been seen winning a Cheltenham novice chase in October 2009 and Hobbs had gradually nursed his charge back to fitness.

Richard Johnson was never too far off the pace on the 16-1 chance and his task was made easier when strong travelling joint-favourite Ceol Rua slipped up on the flat before the turn for home.

Benash emerged as the only serious threat to the British raider in the straight, but Snap Tie kept pulling out more to register a two-length victory.

Champion Chase

1. Sizing Europe (A E Lynch) 8-13 Fav

2. Realt Dubh (P Carberry) 6-1

3. Big Zeb (R M Power) 13-2

4. China Rock (R Walsh) 18-1

6 ran

Novice Chase

1. Sir Des Champs (D N Russell) 2-7 Fav

2. Shop DJ (A P Crowe) 18-1

3. Ordinary Man (J R Barry) 33-1

5 ran

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Mullins Plans Punchestown

Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins is planning another strong assault on next week's Punchestown Festival, with Hurricane Fly and Quevega leading his team.

With 12 winners in both 2009 and 2010, he had seven last spring, highlighted by Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle on Friday week.

He had also won that race the previous year and will bid for the hat-trick after finishing only third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

"Hurricane Fly will run in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle but that is going to be a tough race with Overturn confirmed to be coming over," said Mullins.

"Maybe Zaidpour might also run, I'm not sure, and we will have to see how Thousand Stars is closer to the time."

The brilliant mare Quevega will be going for a third consecutive win in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on Thursday week.

Following a fourth successive victory in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, she will be up against Colm Murphy's Voler La Vedette, runner-up to Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"I'm sure Quevega will go to the World Series Hurdle," said Mullins.

"I have had four or five that have ran in that type of race all season as they had no other options, the likes of Mourad, Mikael D'Haguenet, So Young and Zaidpour.

"We could have two or three in that race or maybe even a fourth as it is their last race of the season."

Irish Hennessy hero Quel Esprit could be Mullins' only runner in the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup next Wednesday.

Mullins reports the grey to be back to form after missing the Cheltenham Gold Cup when failing to impress in his final workout.

"Quel Esprit will probably be our only runner in the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup. We are happy enough with him at the moment," Mullins said.

"Obviously we weren't quite happy over there (Cheltenham), but all his riders have reported that he is good so far."

Exciting prospect Sir Des Champs is set to step up to three miles for the Growise Champion Novice Chase on Tuesday after his emphatic victory in the Jewson Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

"Sir Des Champs has appeared to come out of Cheltenham well and hasn't been doing much since then, but did do a nice piece of work yesterday and he will do another couple of little bits before Punchestown," said Mullins.

"We think he has more in the pot and is a dual Cheltenham Festival winner now.

"Call The Police and Bishopsfurze have had light seasons and can probably take another run so they may also run."

Boston Bob, second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, will bid to end his season on a high in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle, on Wednesday.

Mullins has other smart novices such as Felix Yonger, Allure Of Illusion, Midnight Game, Simenon and Terminal pencilled in for next week.

"Boston Bob will go for the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle," he went on.

"I would be keen to keep him and Felix Yonger apart, all being well, as they are in the same ownership (Graham Wylie).

"Felix Yonger will probably go for the two-and-a-half-mile Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle after his good run in Cheltenham and I have been happy with him since.

"Allure Of Illusion would look on course for the two-mile Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle on the Tuesday.

"I also have Midnight Game in that who has disappointed me a little, but I would think we will let him take his chance as it's the end of the season.

"At this stage, I would say Allure Of Illusion is a definite, and we will have a look at Simenon and Terminal for that also. I would hope to run two or three in this race."

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Mullins Backs Novice Boston Bob

Willie Mullins agonised long and hard over which race to send Boston Bob this week and came down on the side of Friday's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Given the way Simonsig destroyed his rivals in the Neptune on Wednesday, some might say that looks a prudent decision but the County Carlow maestro has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds the Graham Wylie-owned novice.

In giving 10lb to his rivals when dishing out a beating on heavy ground at Leopardstown, Boston Bob emerged as the brightest young prospect in Ireland.

The seven-year-old completed his Festival prep with a gallop alongside Hurricane Fly and Quevega.

"He's one of the best novices we've ever sent over and the three miles will be no problem for him," said Mullins.

"With his pedigree, he should love the drier ground as well.

"He's done everything right for us this year and surprised us the first time we worked him.

"He showed us that he was a bit out of the ordinary and confirmed that when he won his first maiden hurdle.

"For a horse his size, he has lots of gears and moves effortlessly into a top gear and is able to maintain that as well.

"When you pull him out among other horses you immediately say he's a chaser, so what he's doing over hurdles is fantastic.

"I'm really looking forward to him going over fences."

Sea Of Thunder, also trained in Ireland by Charles Byrnes, was in the process of running away with a Grade Two at Cheltenham in December but fell at the final flight.

He then finished fifth behind Boston Bob on unsuitably heavy ground in January.

His trainer is expecting a more prominent showing back on a sounder surface.

Byrnes said: "He would have been a good winner in December when he fell, so we know he handles the track.

"The ground didn't suit him in Leopardstown the last day, so I was happy enough with him.

"I don't think anything will beat Boston Bob, but hopefully we'll be there or thereabouts."

Alan King quietly fancies the chances of Lovcen. Wins at Towcester and Wincanton have sandwiched a fall in a Grade Two at Doncaster.

"This looks very competitive, but Lovcen is improving and if he can maintain his upward curve then he, too, could be interesting," said King.

"He has only raced four times under Rules and has won two of his last three, and his last victory at Wincanton was his most impressive performance yet.

"I think stepping up to three miles will suit him, and, while there might be one or two classier ones in there, our fellow deserves to take his chance."

Emma Lavelle's Fox Appeal has won three of his four starts over timber. "He's improved all year and is definitely going the right way, and he's done it the hard way in handicaps," said Lavelle.

"He is liable to kick a few (hurdles) out of the ground on the way around but it doesn't seem to stop him.

"Touch wood, he must go there with a decent chance. He's had a bit of experience and he knows what it's like to run in a big field so hopefully he'll run well.

"We know he stays, and he does it the hard way, he doesn't want to make his life easy because he pulls so hard but he still seems to get home.

"He's got a big engine and he just needs to use it the right way."

Gordon Elliott has aimed Mount Benbulben at this race all season. He suffered a back injury after chasing home Boston Bob at Navan, where he compromised his chance by jumping continually to his right, but Elliott is pleased again with him now.

"He's in good nick and in very good form. We're looking forward it," said the County Meath handler.

"He's a nice horse but obviously Boston Bob is the one to beat."

No Hurricane for Mullins and Ruby

Willie Mullins remains at a loss to explain Hurricane Fly's disappointing performance when losing his crown in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

The 10-time Grade One winner was considered one of the bankers of the meeting in the opening day feature, but was in trouble some way out under Ruby Walsh.

The eight-year-old deserves some credit for finishing third given he was clearly not at his best and Mullins is hoping the spark returns at the Punchestown Festival next month.

"He's fine this morning. He just didn't fire on the day for what ever reason and we just look forward to the next day with him now," said Mullins.

"He'll probably go to Punchestown."

There was some compensation for the Irish champion trainer as the incredible Quevega recorded her fourth successive victory in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

She too is likely to be Punchestown-bound.

"Quevega is a fantastic mare and was very good again yesterday. Hopefully we can keep her going for next year," Mullins added.

"She'll go to Punchestown and we'll do what we've done for the last few years and enter her in the two-mile race and the three-mile race. We'll see which way we go nearer the time."

Champion Hurdle May Just Fly

Willie Mullins reports Hurricane Fly to be in fine form ahead of Tuesday's  defence at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old returns to Prestbury Park having won his last seven starts at Grade One level and some argue he faces an easier task than he did 12 months ago.

Although the gelding's well-documented fragility prevented him running for the first half of the current campaign, he looked better than ever when making a breathtaking return in January's Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Mullins reports his pride and joy to be a far more relaxed individual than last year after seeing him take to the famous Cheltenham turf for a spin on the eve of the Festival, and is pleased officials have decided to water after walking the course himself.

"He travelled over well, he rode out nicely this morning and seems in nice form," said Mullins.

"He seems much more relaxed on the gallop over here than he was last year.

"They are watering the track at the moment, which I think is a good thing. They are calling the ground good, good to soft in places but after walking the track this morning, I'd say there is a lot of good.

"With the way the temperatures are - it's a cloudless day today - that probably prompted them to water and I'm glad to see it. If it's softer it's safer."

The Irish champion trainer is unsure whether the classy French recruit has improved since his comeback run at Leopardstown, but will be more than satisfied if he lines up in the same form as that day.

"I think he's just holding his form and I'm happy with that," he added.

Mullins has a second string in Zaidpour, who is unbeaten in his last four starts.

He disappointed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival last year, but his trainer feels there were excuses.

"The ground is probably too dry for him, but what ever chance he has the ground would be way too dry for him by Thursday (World Hurdle), so we'll let him take his chance tomorrow," he added.

"He has Grade One form over two miles, so we have to give him his chance to do it.

"He wasn't right last year coming to the Festival and we think he's in good order this year."

Binocular is expected to give a big run with the 2010 Champion Hurdle winner hoping to make up or missing out on defending his crown 12 months ago.

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old landed the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton before supplementing that with victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month.

"I know AP (McCoy) came back happy after Wincanton and I was thrilled. He looked like his old self the way he jumped," said trainer Nicky Henderson.

"He has got to be back where he was (to win), but it was the positive vibes that told us he was something near the same horse. It has put us right in the mix."

Binocular's regular partner Tony McCoy was also delighted with the Wincanton performance and is looking forward to taking on Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.

"He jumped very well at Wincanton. At times he has never given the impression he's the same horse that won the Champion Hurdle," said the champion jockey.

"His run at Kempton (in the Christmas Hurdle) was better but he gave me a better feel at Wincanton.

"I think he's got a long way to go to beat Hurricane Fly, he's an exceptional horse who has won 10 Grade Ones and never looked like getting beat.

"But it is Cheltenham, and at Wincanton he felt better than he has done for a long time."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is responsible for four of the 10 runners in the Champion Hurdle as he seeks to win this race for the first time.

Zarkandar, who lifted the Triumph Hurdle last year, is the pick of his quartet thanks to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

"Zarkandar won at Newbury and is in really good form. He's four from four and you wouldn't know how much improvement he might make," said Nicholls.

"Rock On Ruby is a great price seeing how he ran against Binocular and Cheltenham will suit him better.

"I don't think there's much between the two, but maybe Zarkandar has more room for improvement.

"Celestial Halo didn't run his race last time and was quiet for a few days afterwards. He doesn't want the ground testing.

"Brampour isn't a forlorn hope of picking up some crumbs and getting placed. He had some hard races before Christmas but is back to form now."

Celestial Halo chased home Binocular in the Kingwell and has finished second and fourth in two previous Champion Hurdles.

His owner Andy Stewart would be chuffed with another top-four spot.

"If Celestial Halo is third or fourth we'll be very happy," he said.

Jessica Harrington believes the expected fast pace in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle will suit Oscars Well, who she feels is coming to hand at the right time.

The seven-year-old was runner-up to Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle and would probably have won the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the 2011 Festival but for a mistake at the last.

"Oscar has been improving with every run this year and I feel he has improved again since his run at Leopardstown when runner up to 'The Fly'," the County Kildare trainer told her website, www.jessicaharringtonracing.com.

"I think the stronger pace that will be set in the Champion Hurdle will suit him better and hopefully play into our hands. He has such a high cruising speed.

"Realistically I do feel Hurricane Fly is going to be very hard to beat but it's racing, you never know what can happen.

"Look what happened to Oscar at the last hurdle last year, would he have won? We will never know.

"But I do feel he will run a big race on Tuesday and all his preparation hasn't led me to think otherwise."

Jockey Robbie Power also thinks Oscars Well has plenty going for him.

"One thing about him is he has a fantastic cruising speed," he said.

"He almost travelled too well in the Neptune last year and we were thinking after Cheltenham we should have gone for the two-mile race (Supreme), but he's just a horse that as the season went on got quicker and quicker.

"He's done the same this year and there's the old saying you should never be afraid of one horse.

"It will be very hard to beat Hurricane Fly, but if something goes wrong, hopefully we'll be there to pick up the pieces.

"If we get a place we'll be over the moon."

Kalann is the outsider of the field, but his trainer Sabrina Harty is not without hope.

"He scoped badly (after Gowran) so we put him on antibiotics and he is fine now," said the County Kildare handler.

"He did it very easily when he won at Cheltenham in October and the way he did it was very impressive, but he was quite a small horse then and he has got bigger and stronger since then.

"He is a good-ground horse and all his runs in Ireland are on soft ground so we just put a line through them. He has never won on ground with soft in the description.

"In the Irish Champion Hurdle, the ground was yielding the day before but on the day it was almost unraceable, so we just let him hack round and he had a short break after Down Royal anyway.

"He is a laid-back horse and that is why we hold him up as it appears to suit him."

Mullins Runs Novice Boston Bob

Willie Mullins has decided to run the exciting Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Graham Wylie-owned gelding also holds an entry in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle over a shorter distance on Wednesday but it has been decided to go for the three-mile race on Friday.

Boston Bob was vying for favouritism in both races and is now a short price for success in the Albert Bartlett thanks to winning all his three hurdle races so far in commanding fashion.

"Boston Bob will be kept to the end of the week for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle," said Mullins.

"I was talking to Mr Wylie this morning and that is what I said and he is happy enough to do that."

Mullins added he would be represented in the Neptune by Make Your Mark, who was third to Boston Bob at Leopardstown last time, and Sous Les Cieux.

And he is likely to have three runners in the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Midnight Game, Simenon and Allure of Illusion.

Mullins also outlined plans for Thursday's Ladbrokes World Hurdle, saying: "In the World Hurdle I will have four runners - Mourad, Mikael d'Haguenet, So Young and Thousand Stars."

Ruby Relishing Cheltenham Book

Ruby Walsh is relishing his strong book of rides at the Cheltenham Festival headed by Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Big Buck's - and hopefully Kauto Star.

He has already amassed a total of 32 Festival winners, overhauling two years ago the record of 25 set by the late Pat Taaffe.

The latter is remembered for his association with three-times Gold Cup hero Arkle and Walsh has built up a similar relationship with Kauto Star.

They have already won two Betfred Gold Cups, but their prospects of going for a third depend on whether the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding recovers well enough from a schooling fall to take his chance.

"I hope Kauto Star gets there 100%, but whether he'll win or not he'll be a great ride," Walsh told Racing UK.

"Realistically, I think over that trip Long Run will be very hard to beat. It's not Cheltenham that suits Long Run, it's the trip."

He gets the leg up on Kauto Star's half-brother Kauto Stone in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase and is expecting a big run.

"I'll probably ride Kauto Stone in the Champion Chase and I think he'll finish second," he said.

Walsh, who has the pick of rides from the Nicholls team and Irish trainer Willie Mullins, took the Stan James Champion Hurdle on Hurricane Fly for the latter last year.

And the Mullins stable star is a hot favourite to repeat the trick on Tuesday week.

"He was a really good winner last year, but probably travelled a bit too keen for me on the day," Walsh said.

"Luckily enough, he was good enough to get away with it. He's been good ever since and fingers crossed he gets there in the same sort of form."

Walsh reports Quevega from the Mullins camp to be in fine shape as she tries to win the OLBG Mares' Hurdle for the fourth year running.

"She's in good nick. I schooled her last week and she jumped well. She's been working well," he said.

"She's a bit of a lady. Willie looks after her and she's in good old form at home. Obviously she (Unaccompanied) would be a danger if she runs. She beat Thousand Stars at Christmas and she'd be in there with a challenge."

The Nicholls-trained Big Buck's also seeks to land the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a fourth time, with Walsh full of praise for the stayer who goes for his 16th win in a row.

"He's a very good horse. The more winning he has done, the easier he is to ride," he said.

"You definitely wouldn't get off him. He used to stop when he got to the front and he used to idle - he's not like that anymore. He's an unbelievable stayer."

Walsh is hopeful Nicholls' Al Ferof can give the exciting novice Sprinter Sacre a race in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy.

"He likes good ground, he schooled last week and he's in great form," Walsh added.

"It does hinge on Sprinter Sacre, who has looked breathtaking. If I can keep on his tail, there'll be nothing finishing faster than Al Ferof."

Mourad Too Strong at Navan

Mourad proved far too strong for stablemate Mikael D'Haguenet in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

Ruby Walsh opted to ride the 4-11 favourite but the eight-year-old didn't hurdle fluently and he was in trouble as he tried to close down the all-the-way winner between the last two.

He never threatened to land a blow as Mourad, sent off at 3-1, powered home under Paul Townend to score by six lengths.

Mullins, winning his first Boyne Hurdle, said: "Mourad had been disappointing this year and I didn't think he was back to his form so we said we'd change tactics today and decided to make a lot more use of him.

"He seemed to enjoy it a lot better and it didn't do his travelling plans any harm (for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham).

"I'm disappointed with Mikael D'Haguenet. I'll have to think of plans now for him. On ratings there wasn't much between the two of them but the other fellow just found his form this year for the first time."

Paddy Power make Mourad a 14-1 chance for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Stan James go 16-1 from 33-1.

Stan James' spokesman Joseph Burke said: "Willie Mullins now trains a quite amazing six of the first 10 in the betting for the World Hurdle and whilst Big Buck's remains the 1-2 favourite, Mourad was only four and a half lengths behind him last year so he must have an each-way again."

Sky Bet and Paddy Power were impressed by the performance and cut the winner to 14-1 from 33s for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, while Stan James go 16s from 33s.

AP Picks Up Four Day Ban

AP McCoy picked up an unwanted pre-Cheltenham holiday when he was banned for four days for excessive use of the whip on his only ride at Leicester on Thursday.

The champion jockey, who has only recently returned from a lengthy lay-off after breaking his ribs in a fall, fell foul of the new whip rules when driving Prince Of Pirates into a dead heat in a thrilling finish to the Cavalry Novices Limited Handicap Chase.

He was banned from March 1-4 inclusive for using his whip with excessive frequency.

McCoy, partnering the Nicky Henderson-trained 9-4 favourite Prince Of Pirates, got on level terms in the very last stride of the two mile seven furlong race to earn half of the spoils in a pulsating duel to the line with his long-time rival Richard Johnson on the 4-1 shot Brackloon High.

Brackloon High’s trainer, Johnson’s father-in-law Noel Chance, said the horse could well be targeted at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

McCoy’s misfortune was in contrast to another of his long-term rivals, Ruby Walsh, who took advantage of Davy Russell’s suspension to pick up a double at Clonmel.

Walsh took over the plum ride on the 1-7 favourite Edeymi and then scored on Bishopsfurze (4-9) for Willie Mullins.

Ruby Quel Esprit for Willie

Quel Esprit was the winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh on Sunday.

The grey impressed with a fluent round of jumping as he made most of the running.

Turning in it was clear he had his rivals at full stretch although Roberto Goldback emerged as a threat after the last.

However Walsh never had a real moment of concern and Quel Esprit gave trainer Mullins an eighth win in the Grade One contest by two lengths.

Walsh said: "He jumped well, he travelled well. We went a really good gallop and it was a good performance.

"He likes to go a really good gallop. He was unlucky when he fell in his races last year. When we schooled the novices 18 months ago he was the best jumper.

"He's probably a 160 horse which leaves him 14lb behind Long Run and Kauto Star. They are in the mid 170s. He has another stone to improve to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"There are other races than that and this is a huge pot and a great race in its own right.

"Willie thinks he's entitled to run in the Gold Cup. He's won a Hennessy so he has to run in the Gold Cup.

"I was fairly confident jumping the third-last and when what I thought was China Rock ranged alongside me two out I had plenty of horse left and I was very happy there."

Mullins said: "He had a wind operation during the summer and maybe that was the difference, when he was coming under pressure last year in those big races his wind might have been catching him.

"He galloped all the way to the line today and jumped. Ruby was keen to make use of his jumping. he jumped fantastic, especially over the last four. That was the key to winning the race. He wasn't afraid to ask him for big ones.

"He didn't let the pace drop at any stage during the race and kept stretching them with his jumping. They went a real good gallop and his jumping won it for him.

"He made one mistake down the back, but other than that his jumping was magnificent.

"He has a huge long stride and now that he has confidence in his jumping he looks a Grade One horse now. He's putting it all together at last.

"I've been aiming him for the Gold Cup all year. He's probably around a 25-1 shot for it. Seldom in your life do you have a horse good enough to compete in that race.

"When you get one you take it and the Gold cup throws up surprises over the years. I hope I can improve him a bit more between now and then."

Stan James cut Quel Esprit to 20-1 from 25-1s for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup next month. Paddy Power and Sky Bet go 16-1 from 25-1 and Coral 14-1 from 25s.