'We were very impressed with him' - will My Mate Mozzie be the punters' pal?

Sunday: 1.05 Fairyhouse
BARONERACING.COM Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

My Mate Mozzie is favourite, and deservedly so, as he has achieved more than any other Irish novice hurdler this season.

The way he attacked his hurdles at Punchestown in October stamped him down as a natural from day one. The RPR of 136 he earned there was very lofty for just a maiden hurdle, but the manner of the victory was very easy on the eye.

He was odds-on for a Grade 3 at Navan after that and duly obliged in the manner expected. That said, the margin of victory was exaggerated because of the departure of Boothen Boy at the last when challenging. He probably would have won by two or three lengths; instead it was ten.

Going back right-handed is sure to help, given the way he jumped at Navan, and if he gets into a slick early rhythm he won't be easily caught. The winning time at Navan was good too, 3.2 seconds quicker than the handicap hurdle later on the card.

Speaking of impressive times, the one Impervious clocked in a Grade 3 at Down Royal last month is worth noting. She recorded a time 9.4 seconds quicker than Zanahiyr over the same trip in the WKD Hurdle half an hour later. She fully deserves her mark of 133 and gets 7lb from the boys.

Gordon Elliott has won the Royal Bond three times in the last four years, so Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life deserve plenty of respect.

Mighty Potter: the mount of Bryan CooperCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mighty Potter is unbeaten and, although he might not have beaten much when 4-9 at Down Royal, the way he glided through that race means he must be above average.

Three Stripe Life is less flashy but his fourth in the Champion Bumper should stand him in good stead. He might even be the most solid option in one of the most open Royal Bonds in recent memory.

It looks between the aforementioned quartet, although Uhtred wouldn't be out of it on the best of his bumper form.

Can anything follow in the footsteps of Like-A-Butterfly 20 years ago?

There was a significant Supreme move on Friday when Jonbon sauntered up the home straight at Newbury to make it two from two in his short career and should My Mate Mozzie maintain his unbeaten hurdles record he will surely be a single-figure price for the festival opener too.

Jonbon is now no bigger than 4-1, and 3-1 outright favourite with some firms, while My Mate Mozzie is generally a 14-1 shot.

The last horse to complete the Royal Bond-Supreme double was Like-A-Butterfly in 2001 but Envoi Allen (2019), Hardy Eustace (2002) and Istabraq (1996) went on to win the Ballymore following their Fairyhouse victory.

Speaking about the chances of favourite My Mate Mozzie, trainer Gavin Cromwell said: "He’s coming here in good form and we were very impressed with him the last day at Navan.

"He’ll appreciate going right-handed as he jumped a bit to the right that day. It’s a very competitive race but he should have a very good chance."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Arctic Warrior, Farout and Statuaire
We think a lot of Arctic Warrior on his homework and maybe things have to go his own way as he was disappointing last time. We might change tactics with him too. If he shows in the race what he shows us at home he’d be a leading player. Farout jumped badly at Listowel. A bigger obstacle at Fairyhouse might make him concentrate more and the form of his previous runs gives him a chance. On the face of it, Statuaire has to improve a bit but she probably has more experience than a lot of these rivals.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life
Mighty Potter has only had two starts and we still don't know how good he is yet. The maiden hurdle he won at Down Royal might not have been the greatest race in the world, but he couldn't have won it any easier and he's come forward again since then. This will tell us a lot more about him. Three Stripe Life did what he had to do in his maiden hurdle. It was always the plan to come back to Fairyhouse for this and you have to remember he was fourth in the Champion Bumper. I'd say he's a good horse.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Uhtred
He won his maiden well last time. It looks a competitive race but we're hoping he has a place chance.

Colm Murphy, trainer of Impervious
She is entitled to take her chance and we will know more about where she fits in afterwards. She has the experience and, getting the 7lb mares' allowance, we hope she can be competitive.

Read more Fairyhouse previews

1.35 Fairyhouse: 'He'll come on a hell of a lot for that run' - who is expecting a big display?

2.40 Fairyhouse: Return of the queen: get Henry de Bromhead's thoughts on Honeysuckle

3.10 Fairyhouse: 'He comes in on a nice weight' - Willie Mullins has five for valuable handicap

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