Mulholland ready to step Starcrossed Lover up in class

Neil Mulholland has identified the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton as a likely target for his exciting recruit Starcrossed Lover.

Placed in two Irish bumpers for Colm Murphy, the six-year-old is unbeaten in two starts for his current connections, with a successful British debut at Windsor in mid-December followed by a 17-length demolition job at Hereford last month.

Mulholland has given his charge an entry in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but expects to have a clearer idea about the ceiling of his ability after his next outing.

“He might go for the Dovecote in Kempton (February 22) and if he happened to keep shining, at least we’ve got the entry (at Cheltenham),” said the Wiltshire-based trainer.

“He hasn’t done anything wrong and has beaten what’s been put in front of him. Cheltenham probably isn’t on our radar at the moment, but at least we have the option if he keeps improving.

“We’ll have a look at the Dovecote and there’s a race in Kelso on the day of the Morebattle Hurdle as well (Premier Novices’ Hurdle, March 1). We can have a look at that as well, but the Dovecote might be the number one option.”

Starcrossed Lover is a 66-1 shot with the sponsors Sky Bet for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.