STEPHEN HARRIS’S DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL TIPS

Willie Mullins has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds his strapping novice, and he created a deep impression when routing his rivals over 2m4f at Leopardstown over Christmas. He is a free going sort who has plenty of natural speed, so the drop back to two miles looks the right call under regular rider Paul Townend.

An impressive win here is likely to see his price for the Supreme Novice at the Cheltenham Festival contract further, and plenty of CopyBet punters holding ante-post vouchers will be looking for an authoritative performance.

Willie Mullins smart chaser comes into this prize on the back of a cracking effort in a huge field handicap over an extended three miles at this track over the Christmas period, going with zest up on a fast pace and only fading out of contention from the final fence (shaping a lot better than the bare result).

A return to 2m5f should suit ideally, and he should now be spot-on fitness wise after two runs this winter. Positive tactics are likely to be employed by Paul Townend from the tape on this strong travelling type, and the improving yielding ground conditions would be his optimum.

Noel Meade is well capable of landing one of these handicaps at the top tracks, and his useful handicapper is owned by some of the shrewdest punters in the game. He caught the eye last time out under a negative ride from well off the pace in a big field at this track and is now well treated if enjoying any luck in running under the usual patient tactics (with the promising 5lb claimer Liam Byrne an excellent booking).

Confidence would certainly increase if he is strong in the betting market close to the off, and CopyBet punters are advised to check for a late move in the right direction.