Willie Mullins’ hugely exciting prospect Getabird hopes to live up to high expectations, as he seeks his first Graded win in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle this afternoon at 2.10pm.
The six-year-old is unbeaten in three racecourse starts, having won stylishly in bumpers at Fairyhouse and Gowran Park.
On his hurdling debut he enjoyed a faultess display, when winning comfortably by seven lengths.
The master of Closutton has won six of the last nine renewals of this, with the legendary Douvan, Min and Vautour landing their first graded prize in this race.
"It's great to get the ride, I'm two from two on him in bumpers and he was impressive on his first run over hurdles,” said Patrick Mullins, assistant to Willie.
"This race has a good record of producing Cheltenham winners and it fits in well, timing wise. If you happen to miss Christmas you can come here and then head on to Cheltenham.
"Getabird won a point-to-point, so he has jumping experience, and he might be a horse you'd step up in trip on drier ground in the spring."
Exciting bumper winner Carter McKay similarly won well on his hurdling debut and takes a step up in grade this afternoon.
Gordon Elliott’s Mengli Khan has much more experience at the top level, having won impressively at Grade Three and One level. Last time out the five-year-old ran off the track, but he may return to his best on return to racing.
“Mengli Khan shocked everyone when running out two out at Leopardstown last month,” Elliott told his Betfair blog.
“It was completely out of character for him to do something like that and I hope we never see the likes of it from him again.
“Prior to that he had been having a fantastic season with Grade 1 and Grade 3 wins behind him, his main danger today would be the impressive Getabird however our lad has the Graded experience so I feel has the upper hand if everything goes smoothly.”
Hardline, High School Days, Top Othe Ra, Makitorix and High School Days also contest the Grade Two contest.
TIP: The manner in which connections get excited about Getabird is very interesting, and he deserves to strike in this competitive contest. Mengli Khan is the big danger here and could run a big race. Bilko, Pat’s Oscar and Kesselring.
