3 minute read

The Festive action continues as the team provide two selections from Doncaster and Leopardstown…

With Grade 1 action aplenty on both sides of the Irish Sea, Willie Mullins boasts another strong hand in the 2m Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown, with Mystical Power favoured over stablemate State Man from a betting perspective.

Whilst Champion Hurdle hero State Man is expected to improve from his seasonal reappearance when beaten by the re-opposing Brighterdaysahead, there is potential for significant progression from Mystical Power. A son of Mullins' Champion Hurdle-winning mare Annie Power, the five-year-old achieved multiple Grade 1 victories during his novice hurdle campaign, including success in the Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree and Punchestown's Champion Novice Hurdle.

Joint-favourite with Sir Gino for his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Mystical Power​​​​​​​ never travelled through the race and faded tamely to finish thirty-three lengths adrift of his market rival – who has subsequently made a winning start to his chasing career, beating fellow Mullins' inmate Ballyburn.

A better performance is expected from the beautifully bred gelding and his current odds of 10/1 give punters options ahead of the first two in the market.

REVERSE FORECAST – STATE MAN AND MYSTICAL POWER

Jordans Cross looks a strong alternative to the favourite Eternal Angel in the 2m3½f Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster.

Trained by Anthony Honeyball, who is enjoying a better Festive period than his strike rate of 14% for the last fortnight would suggest, Jordans Cross was a comfortable point-to-point winner in March. Equipped with a tongue-tie on rules debut, the four-year-old finished a promising second in a Chepstow bumper before securing the all-important maiden victory over hurdles on his second outing at Southwell, demonstrating a strong jumping display.

The step up from two miles is expected to suit the four-year-old, with dam Mrs Jordan achieving various placings over hurdles up to 2m7f.

Whilst Anthony Honeyball has only achieved three winners from his twenty-two runners in the past two weeks, the Dorset based-trainer has achieved multiple placings and secured a win at Catterick on 28 December.

WIN – JORDANS CROSS – 11/4