Ballyburn aims to get back on track over longer trip

Ballyburn is a hot favourite to beat stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown, despite being well beaten by Sir Gino when he was last seen at Christmas.

Willie Mullins sent the highly regarded seven-year-old over to Kempton for the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase due to a lack of two-mile options in Ireland over the festive period.

The plan backfired, though, as he could not live with Nicky Henderson’s Arkle favourite and such was the manner of the defeat, Ballyburn now steps back up to the distance over which he was so impressive at Cheltenham last March over hurdles.

“We found out at Kempton that he just couldn’t jump at that pace,” said Mullins

“Now, Sir Gino could be a superstar, so if there wasn’t Sir Gino there, he might have been adequate, but at least we found out we’re not going down the two-mile route with him.

“It was disappointing to go there and get beat but my only other option was to go to Limerick and the race I had marked out for Impaire Et Passe.

“I thought what is the point in burning two bullets for one race and he should have gone to Leopardstown, but they took away that race.

“I was surprised he was favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year and we ran him in the other race – and I think looking at his pedigree and the stamp of horse he is, he has stayer written all over him.

“We hope his attitude will let him stay, he will have to settle and do more things right, but that is all part of growing up.”

Having looked imperious as a novice hurdler, Impaire Et Passe did not quite come up to scratch against the best last season until he bloomed in the spring, winning at Aintree and Sandown.

He has looked very good in two outings over fences to date, beating a strong field at Limerick last time out to provide Daryl Jacob with a final Grade One before he retired.

J J Slevin replaced Jacob in the role as retained rider for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and takes the mount this time.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager for the duo, said: “I’ve been pleased with how he’s been switching off in his races and he’s seeing them out well. He’s been finishing off much better than he ever did over hurdles last season and I think he’s a healthier horse this year – we’re excited to see him out again.”

Mullins also runs Champ Kiely, while Gordon Elliott fields Croke Park and Better Days Ahead.

The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle is again dominated by Mullins, with six of the 10 runners stabled at Closutton.

Kopek Des Bordes, the mount of Paul Townend, is the only unbeaten runner, having had just two outings to date.

JP McManus’ Kaid d’Authie, Redemption Day, Karniquet, Karafon and Sea Of Sands give the champion trainer an extremely strong hand.

He is also responsible for four of the 12 in the Coolmore N.H. Sires Luxembourg Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race.

Bambino Fever, Blue Velvet, Carmeletta Vega and Future Prospect all go.

The last named bolted up by nine lengths at Fairyhouse on her debut under rules and Mullins said: “She looks exciting, so she does. I’m looking forward to her. She didn’t show anything like that at home in her work.”

Declan Queally has unearthed several nice prospects this season and Carrigmoornaspruce, a dual winner, looks another.

Assessing the race, Queally said: “She’s only five. John Magnier’s filly (Future Prospect) that won at Fairyhouse looks very decent and Tom Cooper’s mare (Amen Kate), which beat us at Listowel – we weren’t really wound up for that day, but she’s probably improved again.

“So it’s going to be a cracking race and whatever filly wins it is definitely going to look like a future star.

“I’ll ride her. I can’t wait. To get the chance in a race like that is brilliant.”