Stormy Ireland a candidate for step up in grade

Stormy Ireland could dip her toe into top-class company in the Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 4.

Willie Mullins' French import created a huge impression on her Irish debut, winning at Fairyhouse by 58 lengths on heavy ground.

"She was very impressive at Fairyhouse. I don't know what the race was like but she could not do any more, and she's set a fairly high bar," said Mullins.

"She's an incredible filly. I gave her a little break and within a few days she bucked off her rider.

"She is not the biggest filly in the world but she seems to have huge energy."

Gavin Cromwell's Espoir D'Allen, Farclas and Stormy Ireland's stablemate Mr Adjudicator head the opposition.

Cromwell said: "He's unbeaten and he has improved from run to run. I'm very happy with him at home.

"He probably hasn't had a proper test yet and this will be the first real test.

"Obviously we have Stormy Ireland, and Farclas looked very good behind him the last day and he will improve a lot for a run I would have thought.

"It's that time of the year where they are going to have to step up. He's done everything good so far."

Condon said of Farclas: "He came from France, where he ran a few times on the Flat, and we didn't have him that long before he ran for us and finished a good second to Espoir D'Allen.

"There is definitely a lot of improvement in him. He's being going the right way since. He was here this morning and I sat on him. He has no problem with soft or heavy ground and he would have improved a good bit from the last day experience-wise over hurdles.

"He's definitely an improving horse and it will be interesting to see how he fares up against Gavin's horse again.

"I think he'll be our only runner in the race."


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