Cotil makes chasing debut Willie Mullins unleashes the latest prospect from his novice armoury as former classy hurdler Blood Cotil lines-up for his fencing bow in the McCarthy Insurance Group Beginners Chase at Cork this afternoon. Running in the famous silks of Rich Ricci, the relatively lightly-raced five-year-old rounded off his last campiagn with a Grade Three success at Auteuil. Proven in very testing conditions, expect bookmakers to be keeping an eye on his progress with a view to the big festivals in the spring. The McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle could be an interesting one, featuring as it does the Mullins-trained Turban and the once highly-rated Waaheb, trained by Dermot Weld. Both will handle the ground but the advantage might be with Turban in that regard as he definitely handles it very testing. Mullins also has Wicklow Brave, who bids to follow up his three wins in NH flat company with a winning start to life over hurdles in the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle. The gelding took prizes at both the Galway and Listowel festivals before signing off last term with victory at Tipperary and a solid display would further boost the yard's already burgeoning novice hurdle squad. Boondooma also tries obstacles for the first time in the following McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle. Michael Griffin's seven-year-old had finished second to Cheltenham Bumper winner Briar Hill at the start of last year and struck at Limerick last time. Playing proved he had plenty more to offer at the ripe age of 11 when he hacked up in testing conditions at Limerick last time and he attempts to defy a sizeable hike in the weights when lining up for the McCarthy Insurance Group Handicap Chase. Conversely, Avondhu Lady seeks to capitalise on a 24lb lower mark over hurdles when she carries top weight in the McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle. She has the improving Serra Nova to contend with, who was not far away at Naas last time.
