RACING: Willie Mullins is playing down Cousin Vinny's chances in the curtain-raising Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow. The ante-post favourite didn't travel well and Mullins would also prefer overnight rain.
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner has won two of his four starts since turning his attentions to hurdling. He did, however, let down odds-on backers when unseating his rider at the final obstacle in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Cousin Vinny seemingly had the race at his mercy on that occasion, though, and Mullins is hopeful he will give a good account of himself in the hands of his son, Patrick.
“The ground is drying by the minute, which is a bit of a worry, and I hope the rain that is forecast comes overnight — just to take the speed out of the race,” said the Co Carlow handler.
“It’s probably yielding to good ground on present conditions so if we get a bit more rain, all well and good. We also run Kempes and if he continues to improve, he should be right there in the firing line.
“Cousin Vinny maybe didn’t travel over quite as well as I might have expected, or had hoped. Sometimes this happens when horses come back for a second year. He is settling down now but he definitely didn’t travel or eat as well as I expected.”
The only other Irish challenger is the Noel Meade-trained Go Native. The six-year-old was no match for Mullins’ injured Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over Christmas but created a favourable impression when winning a Grade Two at Naas last time.
“He travels well through his races and he’s been lucky enough to jump well as well, which is a big help,” said Meade.
“He’s a very talented horse. I have great respect and admiration for the favourite (Cousin Vinny) — I think he is going to be very hard to beat — but I think we have every chance of being in the money.”