King Of Queens has first-rate claims

TOM MULLINS will be hoping to land a Grade One St Stephen's Day double at Leopardstown but while Made In Taipan has a tough task against Tatenen his representative in the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle appears to have first-rate claims.

King Of Queens has looked an ultra-progressive sort in three starts to date over hurdles and there was plenty to like about the way he broke his maiden at Thurles when winning easily by 10 lengths. Mullins actually admitted to being slightly disappointed the son of Dalakhani didn't do it even easier but was inclined to blame the sticky ground on that occasion.

A week of dry weather in the lead-up to Friday should make going conditions at Leopardstown better and that could prove crucial to King Of Queens.

In contrast the likely favourite Tharawaat, owned by the Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, has been thriving on deep ground, trotting up in his maiden at Navan and then making all to land a Grade Three at Fairyhouse. Along with the Cork and Clonmel winner Lethal Weapon he will provide a stiff test to King Of Queens who, nevertheless, can successfully continue his improvement.

There will be plenty of Grade One interest in the opening maiden too where Willie Mullins has elected to run his bumper champion horse Cousin Vinny instead of in Saturday's Future Champions race.

The only horse ever to complete the Cheltenham-Punchestown bumper double made a hugely promising debut over jumps when third to his stable companion Hurricane Fly in last month's Royal Bond. He was hardly suited by a pedestrian early pace that day but his jumping held up well and there was enough in it for most bookmakers to have Cousin Vinny as low as 9 to 2 favourite for the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham.

In the circumstances, then, anything but an impressive victory against 23 opponents will be a major shock.

A feature of the last couple of months has been the excellent form of Paul Nolan's string and there will be plenty willing to bet it will continue with Savitha in the two-mile handicap chase. The mare looked all over a winner on her previous start at Punchestown only to be cut down in the final stride by a fast-finishing Conem.

Savitha is not a particularly easy ride to get right but even though she has also been raised 5lb in the ratings for that defeat, she should still figure prominently again.

The legendary Flat trainer Dermot Weld always likes to keep his hand in through the winter with a number of bumper performers and he gives the Old Vic gelding, Lead The Parade, a second career start in the last.

There was plenty to like about Lead The Parade's debut too when finishing third to Luska Lad at Fairyhouse last month. With that experience under his belt he should be spot on to provide Weld with a Christmas winner.

Colm Murphy's main focus this Christmas will be on Brave Inca's intended start in Monday's December Festival Hurdle and a possible run by Zaarito in Saturday's Future Champions.

However, it will also be interesting to see how Voler La Vedette does for the in-form Co Wexford trainer in Friday's four-year-old maiden hurdle on the back of two bumper wins in October. Voler La Vedette won at Fairyhouse and was then particularly impressive at Down Royal when scoring by 10 lengths. A competent round of jumping now will see him go close.

Dunroe Lady is worth checking out in the handicap hurdle.