Agusta tries hand in Grade 3 company

Agusta Gold will attempt to maintain her consistent record when she tries her hand at Grade Three standard in the Kerry Group Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick.

The six-year-old has won two and finished in the first four in all her other starts over the smaller obstacles in maiden or handicap company

Trainer Mags Mullins accepts the size of the task, but believes Agusta Gold will not be disgraced.

“We’re hoping she’ll run well — I think she’s well,” said Goresbridge-based Mullins.

“There’s a couple in it you have to be afraid of. (But) we’re happy with her — it’s fingers crossed.”

Colin Bowe is hoping the decision to re-route Western Victory from Cheltenham to Sunday’s race will be rewarded.

“She’s come on for her last run (well), and she’ll love the ground,” said the County Wexford trainer.

“She was going to Cheltenham for the mares hurdle, but we decided to skip that.

“Two miles six (furlongs) on heavy ground will be right up her alley.”

Denis Hogan is another who had considered running Moskovite at Cheltenham but had second thoughts.

“She was in Cheltenham on Wednesday night prior to the mares hurdle, but we decided not to go,” he said.

“The trip at Cheltenham was a little short — trip and ground are good for Limerick.

“She’s in great form. She ran well behind Allaho last day at Clonmel.”

In a highly competitive event, Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the 12 runners — in Robin De Carlow Sapphire Lady and Ifyoucatchmenow Gordon Elliott relies on Edene D’arc , nd Joseph O’Brien saddling Gipsy Lee Rose