What do you mean by revert to type ?
When has Mullins ever really ducked a challenge, and not been bold ?
It's only because he has so much ammunition and options that they are sometimes split.
Apart from Quevega vs Big Bucks I can't think of any other occasions, and even that was a difficult one as once she'd won 2 or 3 it would have been a tough ask to go up against Big Bucks on her first run of the season. And Ruby Walsh would have been a big factor in this also.
And Big Bucks could always have come over to Punchestown for the grade 1 against the boys over 3 miles she won 4 times (should have been 5 :sorrowif he wanted.
With regards CPS, this is a common thing for Mullins to do - i.e favour his older horses with multiple grade 1's under their belts.
He said similar about Hurricane Fly vs Faugheen.
There are other examples.
It's part sentiment and part that they're proven performers.
Although the emphasis in this situation regards CPS v Energumene was surprising, I'll admit.
It's a perception thing for me. You mentioned your namesake. I think in the most recent years is when he's had the ammunition that a bottleneck inevitably will happen and they have to clash. But we're talking about stable-mates in that regards when you want to see top horses clash but are kept apart. That was normal behaviour.
So for me, his normal behaviour, it seems to me is he wants to afford his alphas the protection. Perhaps it's a lazy assumption on my part but I still think he'll take the easier route. He mentions, he'll do what's best for the horse which many will assume relates to trip and conditions. But not always??
