Dublin Racing Festival: Barry Connell anticipates 'big run' from Good Land

Owner-trainer Barry Connell considers Good Land a worthy favourite for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors "50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff" Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The two-mile-six-furlong contest is the first of eight Grade Ones scheduled to take place across a mouthwatering two days at this year's Dublin Racing Festival – and while Willie Mullins looks set dominate, it is Connell’s charge who is poised to head the market for the curtain-raiser.

Wexford bumper winner Good Land made it no further than the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, but proved his class with an impressive victory at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

He steps up in distance and class this weekend, but Connell is confident he will prove hard to beat.

He said: "He’s in good order and worked well during the week. All is good with him.

"They’re putting plenty of water on the track so the ground should be fine and the step up in trip won’t be an issue.

"He doesn’t have to improve too much. After his performance the last day over the course, he probably deserves to be favourite.

"I think he’s come on since Christmas and we’re hoping for a big run."

Mullins fires a twin assault at a prize he has won seven times in the last 10 years, with stable jockey Paul Townend preferring Tramore winner Quais De Paris to Grangeclare West, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Naas earlier in the month under the trainer’s nephew, Danny.

"Grangeclare West was very impressive when he won and Quais De Paris was probably less impressive, but it’s a tight track in Tramore and I brought him down for the ground," said Mullins.

"He’s a big horse who will appreciate a longer trip and he’ll improve an awful lot. The