Saturday Six

In this week's Saturday Six, our ones to watch include entries from champion trainers either side of the water, Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls, as well as another Michael O'Leary owned rising star.

Willie Mullins’s promising chaser is bidding to make up for lost ground this season. He had a rotten time of it towards the end of his novice campaign, falling or being brought down in three Grade 1 chases at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown. He returned with an easy win – in a much easier assignment – at Naas a couple of months ago and he’ll be looking to follow up here before gunning for better luck at the big festivals again over the next couple of months.

Bertie’s Dream (1.05, Thurles)

Bertie’s Dream, a shock winner of a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Cheltenham festival two years ago, is another one who has yet to deliver his full potential over fences. He hasn’t won a race since that Albert Bartlett success, but he has been tried in good company and if he takes to the bigger obstacles over the rest of the season he could be a very exciting novice.

Prospect Wells (2.35, Sandown)

Trainer Paul Nicholls is not averse to throwing some of his young guns into tough handicap company, which is exactly what he did with Prospect Wells in the Ladbroke before Christmas. A warm favourite for that race, on the face of it a fourth-place finish looks a shade disappointing but it was just his fourth start over hurdles in one of the year’s most competitive handicaps. Back in novice company here, albeit at Grade 1 level, he’ll be fancied to get back to winning ways.

Consigliere (2.50, Wincanton)

Placed in ultra-competitive handicap chases at the last two Cheltenham festivals, David Pipe’s nine-year-old has been dropping down the weights during a lengthy winless run. Still, his third of 14 in ground that would be softer than ideal at Chepstow over Christmas was respectable enough, and among his rivals here is likely favourite Pasco, who has always looked a bit soft and looked softer than ever when downing tools last time out.

Mozoltov (3.50, Thurles)

Another Willie Mullins entry in this week’s Saturday Six, Mozoltov is a really interesting contender in the bumper at Thurles. Second to Mount Benbulben at the same track last February, when was an Even money favourite, Mozoltov has not been seen since so he has clearly had a few problems. Still, the form of that run has been franked since – Mount Benbulben has won three times subsequently – so it will be intriguing to see what the Kayf Tara gelding can offer today.

Dedigout (1.40, Naas, Sunday)

Mikael D’Haguenet and Venalmar are among the high-achieving young novices who’ve lifted the Slaney Novice Hurdle in recent years and Sunday’s clash, which looks like a quality renewal. Taking out Tom Hogan’s Flycorn, the other five have won 11 of their 19 races – and even Flycorn isn’t out of it, given that he was less than ten lengths fourth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November.

Tony Martin’s Dedigout is the likely favourite and he looks to be a real rising star. Another one owned by Michael O’Leary's Gigginstown House Stud – which promising Irish racehorse isn’t these days?

The Saturday Six is in association with the Pick Six bet from Tote Ireland. There's a €5,000 Pick Six guarantee at both Thurles and Naas this weekend. Find out more about the Pick Six bet over here.