Elliott seeking Tara hat-trick

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand as he bids for a third successive win in the Tara Handicap Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

The Cullentra maestro has saddled Automated and Diamond Cauchois to land this 50,000 euro handicap in the last two years and this time has four chances, with top-weight De Plotting Shed joined by stablemates Ball D’Arc, Squouateur Dinaria Des Obeaux and Stooshie

Champion trainer Willie Mullins last claimed the prize with Zaidpour in 2011 and fires a twin assault, with Paul Townend partnering Orion D’Aubrelle and Ruby Walsh taking the ride on Calie Du Mesnil

Orion D’Aubrelle returns to the smaller obstacles following a spell over fences, while Calie Du Mesnil makes her handicap debut on the back of finishing second in a Listed novice hurdle at Limerick.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “Orion D’Aubrelle ran a good race in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

“He has been fencing since then, but we thought this looked a good opportunity for him.

“He’ll like the galloping track and there’s some good prize-money on offer, so we thought it was worth a shot.

“Calie Du Mesnil is a novice having her first run in a handicap.

“She’s towards the bottom of the weights and we thought we’d let her take her chance.”

Jessica Harrington ’s Walk To Freedom will be well fancied to follow up his comprehensive course victory in the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle three weeks ago, while other contenders in a 22-strong field include the Mags Mullins-trained Salty Boy and Paul Nolan’s Rooster Byron.

The latter racked up a hat-trick in the spring and made a pleasing return when third at Cork last month.

Nolan said: “He ran very well on his first run back in Cork and we’ve been happy with him since.

“He likes a bit of cut in the ground and I hope all the rain that’s forecast arrives — the more testing the better for him.

“He’ll strip fitter for his run and I’d hope he’ll run well as long as the ground is right.”