Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott go head-to-head for Listed novice hurdle prize

Tuesday: 5.10 Galway
COLM QUINN BMW Novice Hurdle (Listed) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

Willie Mullins has won four of the last seven runnings of this Listed contest and looks to hold the key once again with the talented Tax For Max, though there are some lively dangers among the opposition.

With eight hurdles runs under his girth – including two trips to the Cheltenham Festival – the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned youngster has a high level of experience for a novice hurdle at this time of year, and comes here on the back of a breakthrough hurdles win.

However, that looked a weak race, with the form taking some knocks since, and he has failed to live up to expectations in the past, turned over at 4-7 in a maiden hurdle last year before suffering defeat as the 13-8 favourite for a novice hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago.

Tax For Max: bids to enhance Willie Mullins excellent race recordCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

His Punchestown festival third to Felix Desjy in April suggested he may be turning a corner, though, and he likely has a bit more class than some of these rivals.

Useful 87-rated Flat performer Amir Kabir made a successful transition to hurdling for Gordon Elliott at Roscommon this month and is worth a shot at this level despite his lack of experience in this sphere.

In contrast, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Prairie Dancer has been in rude health over hurdles in recent months, well placed to win three of his last four starts. His confidence is high and he will be ready to pounce if either of the Mullins or Elliott contenders are not on song.

Telecon bolted up in much calmer waters at Ballinrobe a week ago and now takes a step up in class, while Plains Indian is poorly treated by the race conditions but boasts a solid profile.

What they say

Andrew Slattery, trainer of Plains Indian
He's a homebred for his owner and they would love to get some black type for the horse's family coming along – that's why he's running here. He ran very well on the Flat at Roscommon last time and hopefully that run should set him up nicely for this.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Amir Kabir
I think he's a nice young horse. He jumps well and he seems to enjoy what he's doing. I thought he won nicely at Roscommon and I'd say there is more to come from him.

Amir Kabir: will bid to follow in the footsteps of former stablemate The Very Man by winning this Listed eventCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Matthew Smith, trainer of Flaming Moon
He's got some bits and pieces of decent form and Keith Donoghue felt he was enjoying himself on his most recent start over hurdles before falling. It's a competitive race.

Mark Fahey, trainer of Telecon
He couldn't have done it any better at Ballinrobe. I'd have preferred another week or two since that run but he seems to have come out of it okay so we'll let him take his chance. The trip and track should suit him so hopefully he runs well.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Prairie Dancer
He's been a model of consistency in novice hurdles through the summer. This probably is his toughest assignment in recent times.

Colm Murphy, trainer of Elle Perfecta
She came out of her last start at Bellewstown well. Given she had been off for some time before that, fingers crossed there should be more to come from her. It's a competitive race and we'd be over the moon if she was able to nick a bit of black type.

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