RACING PREVIEW:BY HIS admission, Willie Mullins enjoyed "a beano" over the four-day Christmas period, and the champion trainer can continue that hot-streak into this afternoon's New Year's Eve fixture at Punchestown, writes Brian O'Connor, Racing Correspondent.
Ebaziyan is a clear top-rated runner in the two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle, but there will also be plenty of interest in Mourad's jumping debut in the threeyear-old maiden hurdle.
Runners from the Mullins camp usually come on significantly for their first starts over jumps, but there will be some expectation on Mourad, who developed into a decent middle-distance operator for John Oxx last autumn.
His best performance was a six-length defeat of Teacht An Earraig in a good race at Down Royal last September, and the flat figures which that produced gives Mourad a clear shout against opposition that includes another potential good jumper in Jumbo Rio.
Mullins and Ruby Walsh will also fancy their chances in the opening three-mile Beginners Chase with the former top bumper performer Equus Maximus.
Considering his original reputation, Equus Maximus' career has been an anti-climax, and he could have to give best again today to the 115-rated Forest Leaves.
The O'Grady runner was second to Arbor Supreme over three miles and five furlongs on his last start here, which gives the Mullins team a line to him, but preference is for Andrew McNamara's mount.
Selection Box was a Down Royal winner on St Stephen's Day when beating his opposition by a dozen lengths. He has a 6lb penalty for today's two-mile handicap chase, but could tack on another victory, despite the presence of another Christmas winner.
Jack Absolute also has a 6lb penalty for his four-length success at Limerick on Sunday and could have the edge considering the good form being shown by John Joe Walsh's team in general.
Colm Murphy is another trainer in flying form right now and his Kennel Bridge will be a popular choice in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle after breaking his duck over jumps at Fairyhouse.
Kennel Bridge is up against a tough opponent though in Imaalhall, who is 7lb higher in the official ratings for winning over the course and distance from The Flying Dustman on her last start.
Carnbridge was two lengths off Satwa King at Limerick on Saturday, but looks to have an opportunity to go one better in the Opportunity Hurdle, while the Fairyhouse runner-up Taipers can go one better than his second to Roberto Goldback.
The first of two days at Tramore begins with a novice hurdle that can see the teenage jockey sensation Paul Townend successfully team up with Indian Spring for trainer Edward O'Grady.
This 119-rated horse finished fourth to Realt Dubh at Leopardstown over the weekend and should be good enough to continue Townend's run of form, with only the Limerick runner-up Bannow Ross to possibly worry about.
Master'n Commander has been a model of consistency recently and can reap the reward in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. He ran into a gambled-on winner on his last start at Downpatrick in Lock Mor Lad.
Nadine Forde won a world amateur rider's series this year and can bring the curtain down on 2008 in style in the ladies bumper. She teams up with Harbour Hall for Eoghan O'Grady this afternoon, and there was enough in a run behind Layde Back last time to suggest the five-year-old can emerge on top.
Stella Matutina should have learned a lot from a jumping debut when sixth to Head Of The Posse at Fairyhouse and is worth checking out in the mares' maiden hurdle.
Ballymahon was third to Orpheus Valley on his last start at Downpatrick, but travelling to the other side of the country can pay off for the six-year-old in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle.
Guitar Rory also ran third at Downpatrick on his last start, behind Derrymore Dawn, and he can continue Jessica Harrington's good recent run of form in the Beginners Chase.
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