NAP of the Day: Mystical Power can surge to victory in the Moscow Flyer

The big race on Sunday is the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown - and that's where we're going for my NAP of the Day.

The Moscow Flyer - a Grade 2 novice hurdle over an extended two miles - has an illustrious roll of honour featuring the likes of Kicking King, Vautour, Douvan and Min.

It's hard to see any of the five runners for the 2024 renewal at Punchestown on Sunday reaching such heights, but if there's one that could go even half the way it's Mystical Power.

Willie Mullins' five-year-old has an outstanding profile. He's by Galileo and the first foal out of Annie Power - and he's owned by a powerhouse trio of JP McManus, whose iconic green & gold silks he dons, John Magnier and Rich Ricci.

He's been flawless in his two runs to date, winning a bumper at Ballinrobe last May before a facile success on his hurdling debut at Galway a couple of months later. He didn't beat much on either occasion, but he won in some style the last day and looks to have a massive amount of potential.

One of two things I found interesting before the original Lawlor's Of Naas, which was postponed due to fog, last weekend was the amount of money that came for this horse. He opened around the 14/1 mark, but was as short as 6/1 that Sunday afternoon.

Also, there was a subtle yet telling difference in Willie Mullins' pre-race comments on Ile Atlantique, who was the stable's first string at Naas, once it'd been confirmed that Mystical Power was being diverted to the Moscow Flyer. After the fact, it was "we're very hopeful" about the eventual runner-up's chances. Interesting.

To add to that, I've just read Paul Townend - who rides Lombron - say Mystical Power "will take plenty of beating". I'm going to hazard a guess that he's their main hope.

I'd be disappointed isn't better than outsiders Fascile Mode and James's Gate, which leaves Gordon Elliott's Jigoro as the main rival in my book.

He has his chance, but I don't think he has nearly as much upside as Mystical Power who can hopefully give his trainer a record-extending 10th success in this contest.