Willie Mullins weighing up options for returning Abbyssial

Willie Mullins' Grade One-winning hurdler Abbyssial could make his return to action at either Gowran Park or Navan this weekend.

Ruby Walsh suffered a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder after the five-year-old came to grief in last season’s Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but both horse and rider gained compensation when he sauntered clear at Punchestown in May.

He was a disappointing favourite when last seen running at Auteuil in June, but is closing in on a comeback.

Abbyssial holds entries in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday and the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan 24 hours later.

Infection

Mullins said: “He is coming back but is ready to run now. He had an infection which took a while to clear up and we’ve decided to skip novice chasing this season.

“He’s in at Gowran on Saturday and Navan on Sunday, so we’ll have a look and see.”

Shay Barry is aiming his bright prospect Bentelimar for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The County Waterford trainer is minding the six-year-old with a view to going for the extended two-mile event that opens the four-day Festival after winning his last two races at Leopardstown and Punchestown.

“I’m delighted with him. His run in Leopardstown was good and he galloped all the way to the line,” Barry said.