'He should take to fences like a duck to water' - Mullins excited by Berlais

When James Du Berlais was thrown into the 2021 Champion Hurdle on his first start for Willie Mullins and allowed to go off at only 14-1 against Honeysuckle, the trainer said his future lay over fences and anything achieved over hurdles would be a bonus.

The ex-French recruit was last in the Champion Hurdle but was second to stablemate Klassical Dream on his next start in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, which showed why he was so highly regarded.

We haven't seen James Du Berlais since but the exciting seven-year-old makes an eagerly awaited debut over fences in the McInerney Beginners Chase (3.10) at Fairyhouse, a race Mullins won last year with Jungle Boogie and three times since 2016.

The champion trainer is expecting James Du Berlais, who is as short as 11-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and no bigger than the 16-1 with Paddy Power, to relish the switch to chasing.

Mullins said: "It's taken us a while to get James Du Berlais right this season but with his jumping experience in France he should take to fences like a duck to water. His best hurdling form should put him right in the picture here."

Daryl Jacob, fresh from his Grade 1 win over Christmas on Blue Lord, is excited about partnering James Du Berlais for only a second time.

Willie Mullins: 'His best hurdling form should put him right in the picture'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking in his Sporting Life blog, Jacob said: "He's a very exciting horse and you can see Willie's novice chasers are really getting going now. We really like him. He's a really nice horse and we're very excited to be getting him out and about over fences."

The feature race on the Fairyhouse card is the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase (2.35) where Dolcita is out to back up a last-gasp success in a Listed race at Clonmel on her return to action in November.

That was a masterclass in the saddle from Paul Townend but with the champion jockey on duty at Tramore, it is Danny Mullins who comes in for the ride. Willie Mullins is also represented by Agusta Gold, but the trainer believes Dolcita is the number one from the stable.

Speaking about the pair, the trainer said: "Dolcita jumps well and is a two-time course-and-distance winner. She is fit and well and is the preferred one from Closutton.

"Agusta Gold won this race two years ago but has not run up to that form since. While she loves this track and trip, she is returning from a break and her lack of race fitness could be a key factor."

The opening mares' hurdle (12.15) is a tasty affair with Pink In The Park taking on Harmonya Maker as well as recent Thurles winner Popova from the Henry de Bromhead stable.

Read more of Sunday's previews:

1.20 Cheltenham: 'I wouldn't swap him' - who is keen to take on Monmiral in a hot novice chase?

1.35 Musselburgh: 'I couldn't be happier with him' - will the Auld Reekie be won by the home team?

1.55 Cheltenham: 'We might see a different horse' - key quotes for tricky New Year's Day handicap

2.15 Tramore: 'We're delighted with him at home' - can Stattler see off a Gold Cup winner?

2.30 Cheltenham: Marie's Rock gifted 'handy allowance' on big-race return

3.05 Cheltenham: 'He looks overpriced at 10-1' - which trainer has high hopes at Cheltenham?

WIN two Club Enclosure tickets for the Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival 2023! It's simple and free to enter, all you need to do is log in to your bookmaker account on our new app and wait for the pop-up to make your entry. Download the app here.