Ruby Walsh: Energumene looks the pick of Willie Mullins’ runners at Thurles today

Thurles 12:40

Max Dynamite won his maiden hurdle in Thurles – it turned into a sprint over two miles. He’s actually proved more prolific on the Flat than over obstacles and while he’s a good, safe, jumper – he’s never been that enthusiastic about it.

He’s running over 3m today as he can be a bit careful, but he has schooled well over fences. He looks to be the best horse in the race and is in great form.

Until we see how he takes to fences you’d be a braver man than me to back him.

Thurles 14.25 

Willie Mullins has never won the Listed Mares hurdle race but Rebel Og is a previous course winner and is in good form. The concern is that to win a Listed race you would have to be of a higher rating than Rebel Og has.

She’s rated 125 and looks to be ok at the weights compared to some of the others in the race who have ratings.

However, there’s a good few that don’t including Ard Abhainn who won a mares’ maiden hurdle at Clonmel over 2m 3f and was a staying on third in a Novice Listed Hurdle over 2m 3f at Punchestown last time. Despite the drop back in trip, she’ll probably prove to be a better mare than Rebel Og in time.

Heaven Help Us put up a great show when second to Abacadabras at Leopardstown over Christmas but this race has come quick enough for her now. She wasn’t in the entries originally when the meeting was postponed just before Christmas – but that behind Gordon Elliott’s charge last month is also high-class form.

Thurles 16:00

Energumene runs in the bumper and Patrick Mullins rides. He ran third at Navan to Noel Meade’s Joshua Webb two months ago, staying on well at the finish.

He’s improved since then but ideally, he’d like the ground a little bit slower, but he’s a good stayer. He’s in great form.

Of Willie Mullins three runners today he would definitely be the pick.