National pursuit hero Corbetts Cross has been tasked with carrying a lot of weight on his return to Wexford

Emmett Mullins entered the 2m7f Michael Hickey Memorial Chase with Grand National winner Noble Yates in 2022, with another stable star trying to win the race as Corbetts Cross headline this year’s race.

The seven-year-old developed into a top-class novice chaser last season, winning the National Hunt Chase in thrilling style, storming by 17 lengths from Embassy Gardens under Derek O’Connor, before making an encouraging start to life in open company when beaten by less than three lengths to finish third at Aintree behind Gerry Colomb.

He has shown plenty of versatility, given that he scored in Grade 2 company as a novice hurdler over two miles before breaking through the remaining distances as a novice.

It’s not an easy task on his re-emergence, though, as he has to concede more than a stone to Buddy Odin and Hart Wood, but Mullins reports he’s in good shape ahead of a big season.

“He is in good shape and we are looking forward to the start of the season,” he said. “It’s a competitive race and we almost have a double penalty, so of course it’s not going to be easy, but we have to start somewhere.

“Hopefully the ground will be safe enough and we’ll keep an eye on it. If so, he’ll take his chance and it looks like a good starting point for him to campaign.”

One friend has the benefit of the run after making a promising start over fences at Galway this month, justifying 2-7 favoritism in comfortable style.

Trained by Paul Gilligan, he became a regular hurdler at the highest level last season. After finishing fourth in the Stayers Hurdle, he went two places better when second to Strong Leader at Aintree before producing another fine effort when fourth behind Teahupoo at Punchestown.

He made a fine acquaintance over fences at Galway and jumped with plenty of verve when beating Another Choice by seven and a half lengths. It’s a much tougher task, but fitness can count for a lot and he appreciates the danger to Corbetts Cross is significant.

Heart of Wood looked the top performer when winning a competitive handicap chase at February’s Dublin Festival of Races by 14 lengths and backed up that impression when third behind Inothewayurthinkin in Grade 1 company at Aintree.

He is one of the least exposed after just five starts in Henry de Bromhead’s stable and there should be plenty more from him this season, but this is a tough test on his return.

Favory de Champdoo He was withdrawn from the Munster National last week due to a quick move and is another to bring Graded form to the race after landing the Florida Pearl Novice Chase in fine style last season. He has a lot of talent, but the field could be alive for him.

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