All festival eyes on workout at Leopardstown

A FEW last-minute Cheltenham clues will be available at Leopardstown tomorrow when the Dublin track hosts its eve-of-festival post-racing gallops session. But leading trainer Willie Mullins is unlikely to be as heavily represented in the workouts as in previous years.

In the past, Mullins has used Leopardstown to put the final touches to Cheltenham winners of the calibre of Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet.

However, with just 10 more days to the start of the festival, he said yesterday: "I will probably bring up one or two but not as many as some other years. A lot of mine didn't come into form until quite late, so I ran them when I could.

"Now I don't feel there's any need to gallop them. They're all fit enough."

The reigning Champion Hurdler Sublimity has also used the Leopardstown workouts to gallop before Cheltenham, although he may skip it this time with jockey Philip Carberry riding in Auteuil tomorrow and usual work-rider Robbie Hennessy injured. The horse could now work on Monday when Carberry will be available to ride.

Despite that, up to 40 horses are expected to use the chance for some valuable racecourse exercise and the ground at Leopardstown is expected to remain good to yielding over the weekend.

Willie Mullins also reported that his star staying mare Pomme Tiepy will be confirmed for both the Arkle and the SunAlliance at Cheltenham, with a decision on her participation left until much nearer the time.

"I had a long discussion with her owner and we've decided to leave her in everything and then see what we are dealing with," he said.

Pomme Tiepy has proved to be something of a revelation on soft ground over fences this winter with a pair of Grade Two victories among an unbeaten streak in Ireland. But Mullins also pointed out she won in France on good ground (at Nancy last June).

Mullins also confirmed that all four of his Weatherbys Champion Bumper entries - Apt Approach, Cousin Vinny, Drive On Regardless and Lilywhitedancer - are intended runners in the race he has dominated in the past.

Leopardstown hasn't proved a very happy hunting ground for the one-time leading Arkle fancy Perce Rock, but the Tommy Stack-trained horse will return to Foxrock for tomorrow's two-mile novice chase.

Perce Rock has crashed out here on his last two starts and took a very heavy fall here in January in the Grade Two won by Glencove Marina.

The return to two miles should help him, but he will do well to cope with the Durkan New Homes runner-up Lenrey and also Dark Artist from Noel Meade's yard.

Perce Rock had Dark Artist seven lengths behind him on his winning chase debut at Navan, but Dark Artist is now 6lb better off and should have improved for a run behind Maralan at Navan.

Some Grand National ambitions will be on show in the Mick Holly Handicap Chase, with last year's Aintree third, Slim Pickings, having his final start before a Liverpool return.

"This will more than likely be his final run before Aintree," confirmed Tom Taaffe. "He ran a blinder at Cheltenham last year, but he has been trained with the National in mind this time."

Also in the race is the topweight Forget The Past and Chelsea Harbour, the Punchestown National Trial winner who has been well supported for Aintree in recent weeks.

All will be looking for encouragement for next month, but in this weekend's context Whataboutya looks the most likely winner.

Chelsea Harbour's stable companion Made In Taipan teams up with Ruby Walsh in the conditions hurdle, but decent ground should see Sher Why Not make a bold attempt at winning at a decent price.

Apt Approach fans will be looking for a good run from Grancore Girl in the bumper at Clonmel tomorrow, while Wheels Up can boost Fiveforthree's credentials ahead of Cheltenham in the opening maiden hurdle.