Hedgehunter gets chance to shine

Beef Or Salmon may be a raging hot favourite for Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup but Willie Mullins remains more than hopeful that Hedgehunter will put in a good enough performance to earn a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mullins has an outstanding record in the Leopardstown feature having won six of the last seven renewals and that factor alone will ensure Hedgehunter enjoys significant support against Beef Or Salmon at the weekend.

The Grand National hero has ground to make up on his rival from the Lexus Chase over Christmas but there is certainly no evidence of Mullins throwing in the towel before the race is even run.

"We're certainly hoping to get closer. Whether we pass him is another thing!" joked the former champion trainer yesterday.

"On form I suppose we might be second but it has been a lucky old race for us and our horses are in good form. I don't think yielding ground will be an issue. He has won on all types," Mullins added before outlining his enthusiasm for a crack at the Gold Cup next month.

"I'm certainly very keen for a go at the Gold Cup. No final decision will be made until after Sunday but I'm quite keen on the idea of Cheltenham," he said.

Mullins confirmed he will probably be doubly represented in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase with both Our Ben and Major Vernon who pleased him in gallops on Tuesday morning.

Mister Hight will be another major contender for the Mullins team in the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle.

Looking ahead to the following weekend, the dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace looks like he will be taking on Essex if both enjoy clear runs in their preparation between now and the Red Mills Trial at Gowran.

Dessie Hughes has confirmed that Hardy Eustace is back on track after a less than perfect blood count resulted in a dismal display at Leopardstown.

However, Michael O'Brien has also reported that his Pierse and Totesport Trophy winner Essex is on the comeback trail with Gowran pencilled in as his Champion Hurdle prep.

"He is working well and starting to look well. He had a problem with an allergy but that has cleaned up and he would want to win or go close in the Red Mills if we are to then think about the Champion," O'Brien said yesterday.

Jessica Harrington has far from given up hope that Moscow Flyer will return to form with a third success in next month's Queen Mother Champion Chase and is taking hope from the better form being shown by her horses now.

"He seems to be coming back. He looks better, his coat is coming and the bit of sunshine is helping him," she said yesterday.

"I've always said he will come on for each race but my horses were definitely ill and so he is entitled to improve," she added.

"He likes Cheltenham and this time of year and he would love quick ground. They are all pluses. The minuses are if he can recover from the virus we had and he is another year older," Harrington said.

The Moone trainer also confirmed that Studmaster will run in Sunday's TC Matthews Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown instead of the Totesport Trophy at Newbury. The plan after that for the Pierse winner is a crack at the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"I think he will go on good ground so he should be okay at Cheltenham," she said. "But he has had a bit of leg trouble and I wouldn't risk him on firm."