EMMET Mullins approaches Cheltenham in fine form, with two of his last five runners getting their head in front when it mattered most. Before then, though, he sends another runner to England for what looks an ideal opportunity.

Barra Rua has run against geldings since winning a mares’ maiden hurdle by eight lengths in November, finishing third in a Grade 3 and fourth in both a Grade 2 and a valuable listed handicap. The daughter of Camelot returns to mares’ company at Doncaster today, facing seven rivals in the Listed Virgin Bet A Good Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 1.25pm.

Reflecting on her form, Emmet Mullins told The Irish Field: “I suppose she had a nice run in Leopardstown. She’s been a consistent mare all year; she had decent runs in the graded novice hurdles in Limerick and Cork.”

On her chances today, he continued: “Being restricted to her own sex might help, having raced against the geldings. A staying novice hurdle for fillies is a good opportunity to come by.”

Versatile

The UK have not suffered the same constant rain as Ireland, with the ground at Doncaster described as good to soft, while heavy was in the going description on Barra Rua’s last three starts.

As to whether he had any concerns about today’s drier ground, Mullins replied: “Early doors, when she was a bit greener, we might have wanted softer ground. But I think she’s had the experience now and she jumped over the last day, there’s a big improvement on her jumping, so she should be able to cope with the drier conditions.”

The drier ground may go against Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls’ hope Coolanna, who is two from two over hurdles, the ground heavy on both occasions. The daughter of Affinisea was previously trained by Rachel O’Neill, for whom she finished second in two point-to-points, the wider winning margin coming on her sole start on yielding ground.

Fergal O’Brien’s representative Dream Shadow, meanwhile, has won on both good to soft and heavy ground, but was beaten over six lengths on heavy ground last time out in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Today she steps up to three miles for the first time since winning her sole start between the flags, when trained by Ciaran Murphy.