British contender Scardura holds the key to valuable novice hurdle

Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle | 4yo+ | 2m | RTV

The latest novice event in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Series looks to be all about the top pair of Scardura and Arcadian Sunrise, with only one of the remaining five rivals having won before.

Monday's €20,000 prize, which is open to horses purchased for €45,000 or less as unraced three or four-year-olds at Irish and British National Hunt sales, could be a shrewd bit of placing from Neil Mulholland, whose Scardura is number 86 of 97 in the County Hurdle listings at present.

Bath-based Mulholland is 1-14 with his runners in Ireland over the last five seasons, but would have gone very close to improving that record had Shantou Village not departed at the last in September's Kerry National.

Garristown, County Dublin native Robbie Dunne, who plies his trade in Britain, returns home to partner the 130-rated six-year-old for the first time on Monday.

Neil Mulholland: 'If it was better ground he'd win but he should still give a good account'Credit: Harry Trump

On the basis of his wide-margin Taunton maiden hurdle victory in October, which saw him sent off 9-2 for a Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham the following month when trailing the field, he should have a massive say carrying top weight.

Arcadian Sunrise found Albert Bartlett possible Aione and Emmet Mullins' useful Russian Diamond too strong at Naas last month, but there doesn't appear to be the same quality of opposition this time around, aside from the British raider.

The John Queally-trained Thurles maiden winner competes off level weights with Denis Hogan's recent Fairyhouse scorer Funky Dady, despite being rated 4lb higher.

Tom Mullins' Barnaviddaun makes most appeal of the remainder after chasing home Funky Dady nine days ago. David Mullins was denied a winning comeback ride on that occasion and will aim to land a first win on Monday since fracturing his clavicle and thoracic vertebra (T12) at Thurles in October.

Analysis by Mark Boylan

What they say

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Scardura
Scardura is running here as it's a qualifier for the final of this series at the Punchestown festival. If it was better ground he'd win but he should still give a good account.

John Queally, trainer of Arcadian Sunrise
He's been consistent and has paid his way in recent months. We think he's progressing and we were happy with his run at Naas last time when he finished third behind two decent horses.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Funky Dady
He came out of his Fairyhouse win well, although it's possible we might be running him back a bit soon. But it's good prize-money and we're claiming 7lb off him and he should run a big race.

Tom Mullins, trainer of Barnaviddaun and It Could Be You
Barnaviddaun went close at Fairyhouse last time. He's in good form and hopefully the race isn't coming too soon for him. It Could Be You hasn't run over hurdles and will benefit from the experience.

Reporting by Tony O'Hehir

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