Senewalk out to enhance reputation at Punchestown

Willie Mullins is keeping his fingers crossed Senewalk justifies the hype when he makes his eagerly-anticipated Irish debut at Punchestown on Saturday.

The Closutton dogs have been barking this four-year-old's name for a while, so much so that although he has yet to jump a hurdle in public, he is already a best-priced 10/1 second-favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Senewalk is a son of Walk In The Park, the sire of the brilliant Douvan and the much vaunted Min, who was in a similar position 12 months ago.

The latter made a successful start for Mullins at Punchestown last December before winning a Grade Two and finishing second in the Supreme to the impressive Altior.

The Rich Ricci-owned Senewalk faces 21 rivals over two and a half miles in the Kildare Now Maiden Hurdle, with Ruby Walsh in the saddle.

Mullins said: "I hope he's as good as Min was last year - I'm hoping he's as good as the punters are saying.

"He's fit and well and ready to start."

The eight-race card gets under way with the Luna Bar Supporting Cavan GAA 3-Y-O Hurdle, in which Landofhopeandglory is widely expected to play a starring role.

The youngster was a high-class performer on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and leapt to the head of ante-post lists for the Triumph Hurdle with a most impressive jumping debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "He's in good form and we've been happy with him since his run in Fairyhouse.

"It will be good to get some more experience into him and hopefully he can progress."