Bellshill back to try and enhance Willie Mullins Bobbyjo record

BELLSHILL will return to the track after almost a year out at Fairyhouse on Saturday as he bids to add to Willie Mullins' superb record in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase on Saturday.

The Irish champion trainer has claimed the Grade 3 prize a record seven times, including last year's success with Pleasant Company.

Bellshill was last seen finishing third behind the Nicky Henderson pair of Might Bite and Whisper in the RSA Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old is still likely to be strongly fancied to defy his absence and give weight and a beating to his five rivals.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: "Bellshill is in great form at home. He schooled well on Friday morning and it will be great to get him back on the track.

"He's not well-in at the weights with Mala Beach and Lord Scoundrel. He has an 8lb penalty, so it's not going to be easy for him.

Andy McNamara saddles his stable stalwart Val De Ferbet.

"He's a couple of pounds wrong with a couple of them and it does look a very competitive renewal. I'd say it's as good a Bobbyjo Chase as there's been a few years.

"He won the Imperial Call Chase in Cork on Irish Grand National day last year and, all being well, he'll either go for that again or go for the Irish National itself."

The Noel Meade-trained A Genie In Abottle and Stephen Mahon's outsider Champagne Harmony complete the line-up.