Turf Talk: Panic Attack to make first assault of season on Market Rasen for trainer Willie Mullins

Trainer Willie Mullins. PIC: Nigel French/PA Wire

WILLIE Mullins is due to have his first runner at Market Rasen on Thursday when he sends Panic Attack for the Alan Swinbank Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

With £20,000 up for grabs, fellow Irish trainers Mags Mullins and Declan Queally have also made entries in Lady Temperance and The Getaway Star respectively.

Panic Attack, a four-year-old filly by Canford Cliffs, will be making her debut after missing an intended engagement at Cheltenham this season.

“We have an entry in the bumper and hopefully we’ll take it up,” said Mullins.

Maire Banrigh will bid to extend her unbeaten record over fences at Huntingdon on Friday week. PIC: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

“She was balloted out of a similar race at Cheltenham, I hadn’t even thought of that possibility so it was a surprise, but you live and learn every day.

“My owners are adventurous enough and they are keen to travel for the prize money. She’s in good order and we’ll see what she can do.”

n Maire Banrigh will bid to extend her unbeaten record over fences as she takes a step up in class and trip in the Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon on Friday week.

Trainer Dan Skelton has earmarked the extended two-mile-three-furlong Listed contest for the eight-year-old as a stepping stone to a potential tilt at the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

After winning her final two starts over hurdles, Maire Banrigh has continued her progression in the chasing sphere, rattling up a hat-trick of wins with victories at Stratford, Warwick and Doncaster.

Skelton said: “Hopefully she will now go to the Lady Protectress at Huntingdon on January 24.

“It is worth a lot of money and though it is over two-miles-three, which is a bit further than she has gone, I don’t see it being a struggle on that track.”

He added: “She will have an entry in the Arkle, where she will get a 7lb mares’ allowance, and we will see what that looks like.”

Boss Man Fred could tackle the Grade Two Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle over an extended three miles at Doncaster on January 25 after scoring over course and distance last time out.

He said: “I was really happy with him at Doncaster and he will be entered in the River Don back there, but we will also keep an eye on handicaps as well.

“We will just see what the race looks like on numbers and if he can be competitive off his rating. If he is, we will go there and if not, we will go for a handicap.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 1.05 The Boola Bee, 1.35 Eglantier, 2.10 Nestor Park, 2.40 Global Society, 3.15 Financial Outcome, 3.50 Amberose.

EXETER: 1.25 Kapga De Lily, 2.00 Norse Legend, 2.30 On The Road, 3.05 WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI (NAP), 3.40 Hawk’s Well, 4.10 Some Can Dance.

CHELMSFORD: 4.30 Equipped, 5.00 Lady Shanawell, 5.30 Sharp Operator, 6.00 Glory Of Paris, 6.30 Rosarno, 7.00 Hill Hollow, 7.30 The Game Is On (next best).