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McGuinness hoping for another big show from Aussie

Aussie ValentineAussie Valentine
© Photo Healy Racing

Aussie Valentine bids to make it fourth-time lucky in the Tote Irish Lincolnshire at Naas on Sunday.

The seven-year-old filled the runner-up spot in the last three renewals of the race, when trained by Paul Deegan, and made an encouraging debut for Ado McGuinness when fourth on the all-weather at Dundalk last month.

It is almost three years since he visited the winner's enclosure, but his new trainer could not be happier with Aussie Valentine's condition heading into his latest big-race assignment.

"He's been second in the race three times and he's got a top-class jockey (Shane Foley) on his back on Sunday," said the Lusk handler.

"We decided to give him a pipe-opener in Dundalk, just to get his fitness levels up, and it's just as well we did with the way the weather has been.

"We're very hopeful of a big run."

Trainer Michael Mulvany expects On The Go Again to be unfazed by the forecast testing ground.

The five-year-old won four races on the spin last year, but has been set some stiff tasks over hurdles since.

He was last seen finishing down the field in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran in February, but a recent workout convinced the County Meath handler that On The Go Again is ready to revert to the Flat.

Mulvany said: "He worked (Tuesday morning) on the Curragh and we are very happy with him.

"He's been running over hurdles and he won't have any problems with the ground so we are looking forward to it."

Adrian Keatley is hoping a long-term plan will come to fruition with Lucky Mistake.

The four-year-old won at Leopardstown last September before being narrowly beaten at this track the following month.

And though he has not been seen in competitive action since then, Lucky Mistake has been specifically trained for this race.

"Lucky Mistake is in very good form and will love the ground," said Keatley.

"We put him away at the back-end of last year with this race in mind and we weren't certain he would get a run, but thankfully he's crept in.

"We're hoping he'll run a big race."

Willie McCreery is double-handed with Elm Grove and Wild As The Wind.

"They're two fillies who will like the ground," said the Rathbride-based trainer.

"Elm Grove has been running in soft ground over hurdles and I don't think it will bother Wild As The Wind, either.

"The two of them have good draws and it's just about who likes the last 100 yards and who is the fittest on the day.

"They've both got no weight on their backs and I hope they've both got each-way chances."