Filey Bay bids to plunder another major prize for Emmet Mullins in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
Mullins is no stranger to big-race success, most notably saddling Noble Yeats to win the Grand National at Aintree last spring, but the County Carlow handler also won the Greatwood Hurdle, the Morebattle Hurdle and the Festival Plate and in Filey Bay he has unearthed another fast-improving gelding.
The son of Fame And Glory is two from two since joining Mullins from Declan Wall’s yard, with a runaway success at Doncaster on his stable debut in late November followed by the cosiest of one-length wins at Wincanton just five days later.
Filey Bay must contend with a rise in both the weights and class for Saturday’s £155,000 feature – but sporting the colours of leading owner JP McManus for the first time, it would be no surprise to see him take his game to another level.
"Fingers crossed, he will hopefully be up for the challenge," said Mullins.
"It’s a big step up in class for him, but he’s come through his first two tests well and hopefully he can keep progressing.
"Since Wincanton this has been the plan and it is a big step up in class. But it’s also a big pot and he deserves to take his chance."
Filey Bay is one of three runners in the race for McManus, with the Willie Mullins-trained Icare Allen and Nicky Henderson’s No Ordinary Joe also among the leading fancies.
Icare Allen finished fourth in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and ran with credit when third on his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse, while No Ordinary Joe won a head-bobber at Kempton over Christmas.
McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, said: "It’s hard to split them. I wouldn’t want to have to make the decision about which one to ride, I know that.
"They are all going
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