Thurles preview: Willie Mullins has described as "ridiculous" the situation he will face at Thurles this afternoon where he will struggle to kick off the steeplechasing career of his Cheltenham festival winner Missed That.

The brilliant festival bumper hero is only third reserve for the Beginners' Chase and the question of whether or not he gets a run is likely to be the most significant event of the day.

"I'm going to bring my horse, declare him and then hope for the best," said Mullins yesterday.

"It's a ridiculous situation. The top horses can't get in. The balloting system in this country needs to be sorted out, and sooner rather than later."

Missed That, a point-to-point winner earlier in his career, is already a 14 to 1 shot for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March despite never having jumped a fence on a racecourse proper.

Yesterday Mullins was left wondering if that situation will ever be rectified after being again denied a place in the final field of a race.

As if that isn't enough for the former champion trainer to contend with, he also has the second reserve in the race which is none other than the 2002 Triumph Hurdle winner Scolardy.

However, it is the issue of Missed That and his embryonic chasing career that will be of major interest to Mullins.

"I've been in the trainers association and I know how difficult it is to please everyone. But when the top horses can't get into a race then the system needs to be sorted out," he said. "I've wanted to start the horse off on a country track, just like I did last season with his bumper. That's been my intended plan for the last few weeks but I haven't been able to get into a race.

"At least this time we're a reserve but it must be a 10 to 1 shot about him getting in," Mullins added.

Missed That is graduating straight to fences from his bumper career and the lack of any form over hurdles hasn't appeared to help his cause in the balloting system used to formulate the final declarations for races.

Horse Racing Ireland's director of racing Jason Morris has already rejected criticism from Mullins over the issue but the trainer said yesterday: "When I left the position as chairman of the trainers association I thought there was a system in place but the next thing that changed.

"Everything has to get a chance to work but it is clear that in some areas the system isn't working at all." He added: "It's also unfair that Ruby (Walsh) can't accept another ride in the race. He could have ridden two of three others but now he has to hope that we get a run."

If Missed That does get the chance to show his ability over fences then Mullins reports him "ready" for his chasing debut. If he doesn't then the four-year-old Riverboatman could be the answer on the back of a first start over fences on this course.

Tony McCoy makes the trip to Thurles for a number of JP McManus-owned runners including the Punchestown winner Oscar's Advance in the novice hurdle.

Christy Roche's horse has a quarter mile further to travel this time and also has the impressive Clonmel winner Drunken Disorderly on his plate but may still come out on top.

Another McCoy runner to watch out for is the Fairyhouse winner Dead Sound in the conditions hurdle, while What A Native looks a reasonable option in the handicap chase.