Mystical Power chases Punchestown Grade Two prize

Mystical Power puts his unbeaten record on the line when he leads Willie Mullins' quest for a record-extending 10th victory in Punchestown's Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.

Mullins has won this Grade Two event with some of the Closutton greats down the years, with the likes of Vautour, Douvan, Min and last year's champion Impaire Et Passe all featuring on the roll of honour.

Now it is the regally-bred Mystical Power who has the chance to lay down a marker and put himself in the Cheltenham Festival picture in a race that has often identified prime Prestbury Park candidates.

Owned by JP McManus, the Galileo gelding is the first progeny of Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power to hit the track and has lived up to his impeccable breeding so far, following up a Ballinrobe bumper victory with a seven-length romp on hurdles debut at Galway in the summer.

The five-year-old now returns after a 167-day break with connections keen to learn more about their exciting prospect, as he steps up markedly in class.

"Willie is very happy with him and we're hoping for a good run," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

"He won his novice and he's been thrown in there, but he's in good form and we hope for a good performance.

"He won nicely the day he won at Galway and probably the race didn't work out that well. But he's had a bit of a break after that and we'll learn a bit more about him on Sunday.

"Willie has another in there as well, but ours is in good form and we're hoping for a good run."

Mullins has a second string to his bow in the form of Thurles winner Lombron, who is the mount of Paul Townend, while former Closutton inmate and 2022 Champion Bumper third James's Gate will be bidding to step forward from his Leopardstown debut for new