Shaneshill primed for victory at Fairyhouse

The top-class bumper performer Shaneshill gets his hurdling career under way at Fairyhouse this afternoon with Cheltenham ambitions already in his sights.

Willie Mullins’s star, who reversed his festival defeat by Silver Concorde in Punchestown’s Champion Bumper, features towards the top of the ante-post betting for all three Grade One novice hurdles at Cheltenham but is as low as 7-1 favourite for the Neptune.

Judged by Willie Mullins’s decision to start Shaneshill over two and a half miles today, the bookmakers look to be on the ball in terms of any future distance quandary for the triple-bumper winner over flights.

Shaneshill tackles Easyfix hurdles here and his principal opponent in today's maiden could be Wrath Of Titans, one of three runners for Sandra Hughes who has her first starters in her own name following the death of her father, Dessie.

Mullins also looks to have a lock on the opener with both Aklan and Digeanta, two smart flat performers with maiden hurdle wins under their belts. Ruby Walsh is on Aklan, a former Listed winner for John Oxx, who impressed on his sole start.

Outlander is another Mullins trained triple-bumper winner who is reported well forward for his first run in over 18 months while Arkwrisht is likely to be the focus for the champion trainer and Gigginstown in the bumper.

Special Bar returned from two years off with a decent run at Naas earlier this month and can go close for Andrew Lynch in the handicap hurdle.