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Aintree an option for Gitane Du Berlais

Daryl Jacob rides Gitane Du Berlais to victory in The Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Steeple Chase
Daryl Jacob rides Gitane Du Berlais to victory in The Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Steeple Chase

Saturday's impressive Scilly Isles Novices' Chase winner Gitane Du Berlais could miss Cheltenham in favour of a trip to Aintree.

Yet another top-class novice in the care of Willie Mullins, the mare was having just her second run over fences.

The JLT Novices' Chase was mooted as a potential target immediately after the race, but Mullins may save her for Liverpool instead.

"Daryl gave her a great ride. He just let her do her job and it worked," Mullins told At The Races.

"I would think the JLT (could be her Festival target), but remember, she's won in Aintree so perhaps we'll skip Cheltenham and go to Aintree. We'll see"

"Anthony Bromley (owners' racing manager) picked out the race and said rather than taking on stablemates at home, maybe we should travel.

"I didn't dream we were going to win, but it worked out very well.

"I think she might be too keen to go for the RSA and maybe the Arkle would be just asking too much for a mare on her third run over fences.

"I would think the JLT (could be her Festival target), but remember, she's won in Aintree so perhaps we'll skip Cheltenham and go to Aintree. We'll see."

Mullins was out of luck back at home on Sunday as Twinlight could finish only third to Hidden Cyclone in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown.

"It was probably a bit greedy coming back (after finishing third Ascot last month). We took a chance and it didn't pay off," he said.

"He hit the third last, got a bit of a fright doing that and lost about five lengths jumping the second last. He gave it too much air."

A day earlier two more of his smart mares, Morning Run and Lyrical Theatre, filled first and second at Fairyhouse.

"I was worried about the two of them going there. Morning Run had missed a good bit of time round about Christmas and I'd given Lyrical Theatre a nice break as I went back to war very quick with her after winning her third bumper," said Mullins.

"Considering that, the two of them ran very well. I don't think there's anything really for them there (Cheltenham).

"There's a race made for them in Fairyhouse so that, to me, would look the obvious thing to do."

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