Mystic ready for "next step up the ladder"

Mystic Theatre bids to provide Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh with their fourth straight victory in the Lough Construction Ltd Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday.

Mullins has claimed the last three renewals of the Grade Three prize with Morning Run, Listen Dear and Airlie Beach respectively and Mystic Theatre will be a warm order to add her name to the roll of honour, having won six of her eight starts under Rules, including her last five.

Just as Airlie Beach did last season, Mystic Theatre warmed up for her trip to County Down by winning a Listed event at Gowran Park in September.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: "This has been a very lucky race for us in recent years and Mystic Theatre is a mare we think a lot of.

"She's been very impressive in her point-to-points, in her bumpers and over hurdles so far and hopefully she's improving all the time.

"This is hopefully the next step up the ladder and we're expecting a big run."

Mystic Theatre concedes weight to each of her five rivals in the two-mile contest.

Henry de Bromhead saddles Classic Theatre and Creation while course and distance winner Dixie Lee (Dermot McLoughlin), Monday's Galway scorer Just Janice (John Kiely) and the four-year-old Lesley Dawn (Jessica Harrington) make up the field.