Tell Us More primed for Grade One glory bid at Naas

Willie Mullins expects a step up in distance to bring about further improvement from Tell Us More as the exciting youngster spearheads a three-pronged assault on tomorrow's €80,000 Grade One Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas for the champion trainer and Gigginstown House Stud.

The point-to-point graduate made a big impression on his debut under Rules in a Gowran Park bumper last March and blew his rivals away on his first start over hurdles at the same track in November.

He steps up to the top level this weekend for the first Grade One ever run at Naas.

Mullins said: “Tell Us More has done nothing wrong in his two races to date, hopefully he’s open to plenty of improvement. The step up in trip and the ground will suit him.”

The Closutton trainer also saddles Gigginstown-owned pair Killer Crow, a dual bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles at the track in early November, and Mckinley, who pulled up lame in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last week.

Unfortunate mishap

“Killer Crow is a course and distance winner, so we decided to let him take his chance,” said Mullins.

“Mckinley had an unfortunate mishap at Christmas. He was lame on the day but he’s been fine since so we’ll let him run again.”

The biggest threat to the Mullins battalion is the Gordon Elliott-trained Free Expression, who defends an unbeaten record in the colours of JP McManus. Elliott said: “It’s a great race and it’s great for Naas to put on a Grade One. . .”

The field is completed by Noel Meade’s Couleur France, the Oliver McKiernan-trained Golden Boot and Ted Walsh’s On Impulse.

Mullins has identified an opportunity at Punchestown later this month as a possible next port of call for Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Douvan.