Patrick Mullins hopes Sharjah can match Istabraq and Hurricane Fly in winning a fourth Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown on Wednesday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1pm).
The eight-year-old faces five rivals in the two-mile Grade One contest, including Zanahiyr and Echoes In Rain, who filled the places behind him in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month.
Sharjah is one of three representatives from the Willie Mullins yard and the trainer's assistant and son continues his association with the five-time Grade One-winning hurdler.
Echoes In Rain will be ridden by Paul Townend, while Saint Roi, the mount of Rachael Blackmore, was fourth in the race last year and is having a first run since February when he was fourth to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
"It would be unbelievable to join Istabraq and Hurricane Fly who are proper legends of the game"
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 28, 2021
Patrick Mullins on his bond with Sharjah as they aim for a fourth Grade One Matheson Hurdle win in a row on Wednesday at @LeopardstownRC #rteracing pic.twitter.com/KbAwQpqW4w
Mullins jnr said: "We’re really looking forward to Sharjah, he seems to love it in Leopardstown.
"If he could emulate Hurricane Fly and Istabraq that would be very, very special.
"It looks like the ground will be good for him, he’s done really well since since the Morgiana and it’s all systems go – I can’t wait."
He added: "Echoes In Rain is better than her run at Punchestown. I think the slow pace counted against her there. I’d be wary of her.
"Saint Roi we all think is better than he showed last year. Obviously he’s had a long lay-off, but neither of them would be a surprise winner.
"They’re both Grade One horses and we’re very happy with both of them at home."
Gordon Elliott saddles the other three in the line-up, with Zanahiyr having to find three lengths with Sharjah on their Morgiana Hurdle running. Petit Mouchoir and Felix Desjy complete the line-up.
Any more rain would be a boost for Vanillier in his bid to land the second top-flight success of his career.
The six-year-old, who claimed the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, takes on seven rivals in a quality renewal of the three-mile Neville Hotels Novice Chase, the second Grade 1 on the card.
Having stepped up markedly from his chasing debut to land the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase over an extended two and three-quarter miles at Punchestown last time out, Gavin Cromwell hopes he can handle the step up in class.
Watering has taken place at the Dublin track and the overnight rain on Monday was very welcome.
Cromwell said: "He’s in great nick and hopefully they keep splashing the water on. He doesn’t need soft ground, but he wants safe jumping ground.
"That’s his ideal trip and going left-handed is a positive as well. He needs to step up again now."
Elliott has won four of the last six editions of the race and he declared Fury Road and Troytown Chase winner Run Wild Fred this time.
They will be joined by Ontheropes, who similarly drops back into novice company after producing a fine effort to finish fourth in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury for Willie Mullins.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned Ontheropes, who won the Munster National at Limerick on his seasonal debut, will be ridden by Paul Townend.
Richard Thompson of Cheveley Park said: "He was just taken off his feet in the Ladbrokes Trophy, but stayed on at the end.
"He’s a dour stayer really. Newbury was a bit too much for him at this stage, but it was worth a go.
"Going back into a smaller field against novices, you’d like to think he has got a decent shout of being involved."
Fellow Mullins inmate Bacardys, Henry de Bromhead’s Mr Incredible, Ashdale Bob for Jessica Harrington and the Francis Casey-trained Max Flamingo complete the field.
Watch the Leopardstown Christmas Festival live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1pm on 26-29 December
