Top trainer Willie Mullins may have his eyes firmly fixed on the upcoming Cheltenham Festival but prior to that, he sends a sextet of runners to Wexford on Sunday, a track where he is currently operating at a 38% strike rate in recent seasons. Check out his chances, alongside a fantastic offer from Hollywoodbets, who are providing new customers with £20 IN FREE BETS when they bet £10 on the Sportsbook.
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HAUTURIERE – (2:10pm Wexford, Wexford Mares Maiden Hurdle)
HAUTURIERE has finished second in all three starts to date, her debut coming in a French bumper for Daniela Mele and subsequent hurdles efforts for these connections coming at Tramore and Fairyhouse.
She appeared to improve a good deal from her first to second start for Willie Mullins, finishing less than a length behind subsequent Listed third My Design latest.
There doesn’t appear anything of that rival’s quality in this line-up; second fav beaten in handicap company latest, so for all that dropping back to 2m is no obvious plus she does rates as the one that they all have to beat.
Verdict: Probably needs further but testing ground should bring her stamina into play and this isn’t a strong race.
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ARCTIC WARRIOR & GJOUMI – (3:55pm Wexford, Micheal O’Murchadha Memorial Handicap Hurdle)
Willie Mullins goes double-handed in his bid to land Wexford’s feature race on Sunday.
His ARCTIC WARRIOR holds favouritism despite failing to complete in two of his last three starts. JP McManus’ charge has been pitched into Grade 1 company the last twice, however, and was in the process of running a big race in the Future Champions Novice at Leopardstown last time prior to taking a final flight fall.
This is undoubtedly weaker dropped to handicaps, and there’s every chance that Arctic Warrior is better than this mark of 128.
Mullins’ second runner in this 2m handicap is GJOUMI, a mare who hasn’t had a whole host of opportunities since joining connections.
She was brought down when beaten at Limerick in December and then was beaten over 20l at Fairyhouse after setting a strong pace. Under more patient handling she could do better on handicap debut, yet on her recent showings, this mark of 119 is no gimmie.
Verdict: Arctic Warrior looks the stronger of the Mullins duo and is potentially underestimated on an opening mark of 128.
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EGALITY MANS – (4:30pm Wexford, BetVictor Supporting Irish Racing Beginners Chase)
This looks like a perfect opportunity for EGALITY MANS to break his maiden tag over fences.
This 8yo took a crunching fall on chase debut at Punchestown in December yet got round safely when fourth at Fairyhouse subsequently and that form reads very well in the context of this race.
A strong staying sort who won’t be inconvenienced by the ground, it would be a big disappointment if Egality Mans was unable to see off these rivals.
Verdict: Credible fourth at Punchestown latest and this rates a significant drop in class; impossible to oppose.
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MANITOPARK AA – (5:00pm Wexford, BetVictor Supporting Irish Racing Mares Beginners Chase)
Willie Mullins sends over MANITOPARK AA to contest this beginners chase.
This Walk In The Park mare was a hurdles winner at Cork last spring yet in two subsequent efforts finished a well-beaten last of seven (beaten 114l) at Punchestown and then finished pulled up at Galway.
She has not been seen since that July run and connections enlist the aid of a tongue-tie for her reappearance. The market should be informative on what to expect here but on official ratings Manitopark AA holds the highest rating of these and therefore if she jumps proficiently, she should, on the figures at least, prove tough to beat.
Verdict: Badly out of sorts when last seen but given a break before making her chase debut and she holds the highest rating in this line-up.
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DANCING CITY – (5:30pm Wexford, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race)
The Donnelly’s will be hoping to see their now-famous yellow and black chequered silks to victory at Cheltenham in just over a week’s time, yet prior to that, they unleash the interesting DANCING CITY in Wexford’s concluding bumper.
This 5yo justified favouritism to run out an impressive 12l winner of a point to point at Borris House in December.
He has subsequently joined current connections and they have wasted no time in getting him out for this contest, with Patrick Mullins travelling to Wexford for the sole ride on this gelding.
Verdict: Point winner who is expected to prove very popular on his first start for powerful connections.
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