No easy task for Cadmium in Craddockstown Cadmium is out to give the Supreme Horse Racing Club another notable success in the Betway Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on Saturday. Hot on the heels of Kemboy’s victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday, the syndicate is chasing more Grade Two glory with the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old. Off for over a year after winning on his only run over hurdles for Mullins, he has triumphed in four of his eight races over fences to date, including a valuable handicap at the Punchestown Festival. He was last seen reversing form with Henry de Bromhead’s Ornua in the Buck House Novice Chase after that rival had beaten him at Roscommon previously. Steve Massey, Supreme’s racing manager, said: “He won his maiden hurdle on the same day as Kemboy at Limerick and we always thought Cadmium was a stayer, but it turns out he’s a two-miler. “He wasn’t quite right at Roscommon and it was a really slowly-run race which didn’t suit him. “He’s in good order and must have a cracking chance, but he’s got to give weight away (3lb) to some decent horses. It won’t be easy.” Mullins also runs Voix Du Reve, a winner on his chasing debut at Galway from Mind’s Eye, who he meets again. Massey added: “Willie’s other one had better hurdles form than us and Hardline is a classy horse himself. “He loves the course, the trip and ground are spot on for him, so we’re very hopeful. “He wants better ground, he doesn’t want winter ground, so the plan was to run through the summer with the Drinmore as his aim so it depends how this goes whether we make that, as long as he’s all right.” The Henry de Bromhead-trained Mind’s Eye runs in the Gigginstown House Stud colours along with Gordon Elliott’s Hardline, who was not far behind the best novice hurdlers last season and made a very impressive chasing debut at Fairyhouse. “He did well for us as a novice hurdler last season when he held his own in good company and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be just as good over fences,” said Elliott. Ted Walsh’s Kildorrery and Well Tom trained by Aengus King make up the six-runner field.
