Casey confident ahead of Punchestown outing - (2022)

David Casey, assistant to Irish trainer Willie Mullins, says Carefully Selected (11/2 – Novice Hurdle Outright) “deserves his chance” to race in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.

Carefully Selected is part of a strong Mullins quartet entered into the 17:30pm race and the Irish handler will be feeling confident of claiming all the spoils for the sixth time, having trained the winner in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Mullins’ best hope appears to be in the shape of Allaho, which will have experienced jockey Ruby Walsh on board, and the five-year-old is currently the joint 7/2 favourite with Betfred, alongside Gordon Elliott’s Commander Of Fleet.

However, Carefully Selected should not be discounted as he arrives on the back of an impressive victory in the Hospitality Packages At Limerick Racecourse Maiden Hurdle in March.

Casey is remaining cautiously optimistic about the seven-year-old’s chance of success and he believes the softer ground will work in the gelding’s favour.

“Carefully Selected hasn’t run much this season as we’ve been waiting on softer ground. He won his maiden hurdle and deserves his chance,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“He was a top-class bumper horse last season and ran well in the Champion Bumper in Punchestown. It looks a tough race, but hopefully we’ve got a strong enough hand.”

Mullins also has Castlebawn West and the only mare in the field, Salsaretta, entered in the race and the duo are priced at 33/1 and 40/1 respectively.

Henry de Bromhead will be hoping Rachael Blackmore can continue her impressive form on board Minella Indo (9/2 – Outright Winner), who was a surprise winner of the Albert Bartlett at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

Odds subject to change