Deutschland set for hurdle

Deutschland remains on course to head a powerful Willie Mullins team into Sunday's Pierse Hurdle, and Mullins believes a 6lb penalty for a controversial success at Leopardstown over Christmas won't be a major obstacle to the horse's chances.

Deutschland was promoted to first in a handicap at the Dublin track a fortnight ago when Streets Of Gold was judged by the stewards to have hampered the Mullins runner in an incident before the final flight.

That decision came in for widespread criticism, but Mullins believes it could be a blessing in disguise for Sunday's €130,000 feature, the first big pot of 2008 in Ireland and which the trainer won six years ago with Adamant Approach.

"Watching the race in the stands, my first reaction was that if we don't win, then we will get the race in an inquiry. I thought it was quite obvious," said Mullins yesterday. "That was my view as it happened and it is still my view.

"He's been put up 6lb, but I think if he had had a clear run it would have been more," added the Carlow-based trainer, who has five possible cards to play on Sunday, including the topweight Alexander Taipan.

Another of the Mullins quintet, O'Hana, was scheduled to run at Limerick today but that meeting has been cancelled due to waterlogging.

"They are all fit and ready to run. We haven't finalised any jockey plans because a lot of riders have other commitments, but Ruby Walsh and Davy Condon will be riding for me," Mullins said.

In other news, the 2006 Cheltenham bumper winner Hairy Molly could begin a chasing career in the next four weeks after returning to training last month.

Hairy Molly hasn't been seen since finishing 11th in last season's Brit Insurances Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, but is now back in full work at Joe Crowley's yard.

Crowley's assistant, Damien Byrne, reported yesterday: "Hairy Molly is in great form and back in full work. He will be ready in three to four weeks' time and he will probably start off over fences.

"He injured a suspensory (ligament) behind and needed time off, but he came back in mid-December and has been doing plenty of work."

In other news, Byrne confirmed that Paco Jack will run in Saturday's Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown if racing defies the elements and goes ahead.

BETTING (William Hill):5 Do The Trick, 6 Roman Villa, 8 Indian Pace, 10 Lenrey, 11 Barker and Deutschland, 14 Bahrain Storm, Jayo and Shazand, 16 Bar.