Willie Mullins Stable Tour

[Hoof]

The 2013 Cheltenham Festival stable Tour from racing post TV is on this link http://www.fatjockey.com/cheltenham...eltenham-Festival-Trainers-Willie-Mullins-102


I think this has been pulled from his website ...havent seen one anywhere else. Irish Racing might do one ?


Apt Approach
Bob Back - Imminent Approach
Greenstar Syndicate

He made the perfect start last season when winning his first three races over varying trips, the last of which was the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase from Follow the Plan. He will start back in November in handicap chases

Aupcharlie
Daliapour - Lirfa
Alan Potts


He is a full-brother to La Grande Dame who was very successful in France winning three times at Auteuil including a Grade 3. Aupcharlie was a very smart bumper horse, finishing third to Cheltenian in the Festival Bumper. He will go novice chasing this season

Arvika Legionnaire

I was obviously delighted with his performance at Punchestown in May. He won very nicely and I would definitely say it was one of the best jumping displays from a horse first time out over fences.Touch wood,he seems to be over his problems now and I think he should develop into a top class novice chaser this season.I'm going to keep him to the minimum trip for starters and he'll tell us what type of candidate he'll be.


Back In Focus
Bob Back - Dun Belle
Andrea & Graham Wylie

He has had some injury problems but we have kept him in training and got a run into him at Tipperary in July. He was very impressive when winning his beginners chase at Listowel and loves testing conditions

Blackstairmountain
Imperial Ballet - Sixhills
Mrs S Ricci

He ran a great race when third in the Galway Plate and has won two amateur flat races in Bellewstown recently. The key to him is nice ground and we will mix it with him on the flat and over jumps.

Blazing Tempo
Accordion - Leading Duke
Mrs S Ricci

She has had a fantastic career up to now and looks to have a good handicap mark over hurdles.

She might go to Listowel now where we will be hoping she can capitalise on her rating.

She will mix it over hurdles and fences for the winter. We still think there is a good hurdle in her and we will aim her more towards the minimum trip as the ground gets softer

Boston Bob
Bob Back - Bavaway
Andrea & Graham Wylie


It was nice to be included in owner Graham Wylie’s new roster of trainers and we have some lovely horses to run in his colours, including Boston Bob. He had his first race for us in a Navan maiden hurdle over 2m4f in November and impressed me sufficiently to raise him to Grade 1 level next time out in the Navan Novice Hurdle, which he easily outpointed Mount Benbullen. He then had to shoulder a Grade 1 penalty in the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle, which he did despite the horrendous ground they ran on. He then ran a great race when second in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. He schools well and will now go novice chasing

Bundle Of Fun
Topanoora - Leaden Sky
Shanakiel Racing Syndicate
He makes life hard for himself by not being quick in the early part of his races. He needs good ground and at least three miles. He won a beginners chase at Downpatrick in September and followed up by landing a handicap chase over 3 miles at Gowran Park the following month

Call Me Bubbles
Stormy River / Tempete Tropicale

Mrs S Ricci

He won two handicaps at Roscommon and Galway and 1m 4f would appear to be his optimum trip.

We might go for the Leopardstown November handicap and then go over hurdles.

Call The Police
Accordion - Evangelica
E Duignan


He was unlucky when falling at Punchestown in May and will continue in 2 mile and two and 2m 4f chases this season

Champagne Agent
Smadoun - Madame Jean
John J Fallon

He eventually won his bumper in Cork but has been finding hurdles frustrating since. If he can win a hurdle race soon, we will then go chasing with him.

Champagne Fever
Stowaway - Forever Bubbles
Mrs S Ricci
He is a really super horse who has a lovely cruising speed. He stays well and is a very good jumper of hurdles and fences.

We have yet to decide whether he will go over hurdles or fences this winter

Chiltern Hills
Beneficial / Mirazur

Supreme Horse Racing Club

She won a bumper at Wexford but has found a few too good for her over hurdles.

When the ground gets soft she might make a name for herself over hurdles before too long

Connaught Manor

Pilsudski / Connaught Lace

Kevin W O'Brien


He won his bumper in good style first time out at Roscommon. He jumped poorly on his hurdling debut at Galway but was a lot better in that department at Bellewstown next time. With more enterprising tactics and better ground, it may not be too long before he wins over hurdles.

Dani Catalonia

Daggers Drawn / Tryphaena

W.K.McCarthy

She ran some good races when placed in bumpers and got her just reward when successful at Tramore. She is really a good ground filly and we may try to win a hurdle race with her now or indeed she could run on the flat.

Dare To Doubt
King’s Theatre - Karawa
J T Ennis

She is in foal to Stowaway and goes to the November sales

Darroun
Dalakhani - Darayka
Mrs S Ricci


An Ag Khan-bred horse he was a winner in France for Alan De Royer-Dupre before coming to County Carlow. He is a very good moving, long-striding individual who is better on quicker ground, and will go novice chasing this season

Deutschland
Red Ransom - Rhine Valley
Allan McLuckie

He got a great ride from Pat Smullen to win at Wexford in July and will now contest long distance hurdle and flat races well into the autumn.

Digeanta
Helissio / Scolboa Gold

Dr Peter I M Moran & Colland Sand & Gravel Limited

He won his bumper nicely in Cork and has made a very good start to his hurdling career.
If the ground gets too soft we will give him a break and come back in the spring

Dougal Philps
Echo Of Light / Bella Bertolini

Mrs S Ricci

We dropped him back in trip to 9f at Ballinrobe and it did the trick. We could come back further to maybe a mile of 7f. He shows plenty of aptitude for jumping and we could go down that road before the New Year



Drive Time
King Cugat - Arbusha
Andrea & Graham Wylie

He won an amateur race in good style at Killarney in July and is on a break now until after Christmas

Dysart Dancer

Accordion / Judys View

Ms Eleanor Manning

She is a nicely bred filly and has now won a bumper and a maiden hurdle. We are hoping she will make a decent novice hurdler.


Earls Quarter

Shantou / Par Street

B Doyle & J P M O'Connor

He has been disappointing of late and, while we will concentrate on hurdles and flat races with him when the ground is good, we might give him a spin over fences as he jumps well

Fatcatinthehat

Authorized / Fin

Mrs S Ricci
He won two handicaps at Roscommon and Galway and 1m 4f would appear to be his optimum trip. We will try to win another on the flat with him and then go over hurdles.

Felix Yonger
Oscar - Marble Sound
Andrea & Graham Wylie

He was part of the team Graham Wylie sent to us having already won a bumper at Musselburgh and is probably better on goodish ground. We will start him off in novice chases this season.

Gorgeous Sixty
Touch Of The Blues - Sixty Six
Mrs S Ricci

She came to us boasting some decent from in France, notably when with wins on the Flat at Longchamp and over jumps at Auteiul. Unfortunately she has been a bit disappointing but we will persevere with her over hurdles this winter

Hurricane Fly
Montjeu (IRE) - Scandisk (Kenmare)

George Creighton

He summered well and seems a lot stronger this season.

His aim again will be the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

 

[Hoof]

Laganbank
Norwich - Listen Up
Mrs Rose Boyd
He won a novice chase at Roscommon and will continue in chases for the rest of the season.

Local Celebrity
Bach - Shanks Design
Mrs J M Mullins
He has won a bumper and two hurdle races and we will try to win another hurdle with him before going novice chasing.

Legal Lyric
Ballylinch Stud
She is a new flat filly who can be a bit temperamental.
For that reason her owner Ballylinch Stud felt she might be better suited by a quieter national hunt yard. We hope to get a tune out of her and win a flat race.

Letherbelucky
Luso / Silaoce
Supreme Horse Racing Club
She has won a bumper and two hurdles and we hope to win another novice hurdle with her before the winter.

Moveable Asset
Trans Island / Mica Male
Mrs Theresa Burns
We were very pleased to see him get off the mark over hurdles at Tramore. He was very novicy but he will have learnt a lot from that. We may also try to win a flat race with him.

Rattan
Royal Anthem - Rouwaki
J A Coleman
He finally got his head in front this summer when landing a hurdle race at Tramore. He might go back to Killarney where he was unlucky when just touched off in handicap hurdle last May. He will continue to mix it between flat and hurdles

Koko Lane
Kalanisi / Bella Bella
Killeedy Syndicate
He won his bumper at Downpatrick and, if the ground ever dries out, we will try to win a flat race or a bumper with him in the autumn. He won well over 1m 4f in Gowran last time and will continue on the flat, probably in Dundalk


Kings Speaker
Supreme Horse Racing Club
He is a nice 3yo half-brother to Supreme Carolina.
He will have his first run on the flat shortly if we can find nice ground.
He could even run on the all-weather before embarking on a hurdling career.

Mr Carson
Bachelor Duke / Robinia
Mrs M McMahon
He has been disappointing in two bumpers so far but we will keep him to them and try to win one before going jumping.

Passage Vendome
Polish Summer - Herodiade
F N Doyle
He won two over hurdles and left the impression that he will have no trouble jumping a fence.
We will stick to hurdles with him for the time being and then go over fences in the spring when the ground is good.

Pique Sous
Martaline - Six Fois Sept
Supreme Horse Racing Club
He has a fine National Hunt pedigree being a half-brother to three winners. He appreciates drier ground and will continue over hurdles this winter

Peking To Paris
Flemensfirth / Castlehaven
J F O'Keeffe
He won a bumper at Gowran but then ran too free first time over hurdles at Limerick.
We are hoping he will a hurdle race before going chasing this winter

Reine Angevine
Poliglote / Alliance Royale
Supreme Horse Racing Club
She ran very well on her debut at Roscommon where she might have met two smart sorts.
We were delighted with her impressive maiden hurdle win at Gowran and she will now run in novice hurdles. She is by Poligote, the same sire as the Arc winner

Lambro
Milan - Beautiful Tune
Byerley Thoroughbred Racing
He finished off last season with a nice win at Punchestown and will reappear in the second half of this season

Make Your Mark
Definite Article - Catch The Breeze
He won his bumper very stylishly at Punchestown by 11L and the following month did the same in his first hurdles race, at Leopardstown. We sent him back for the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle, where he ran a fine race to be third behind Boston Bob. He ran okay in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and will go novice chasing this season

Marasonnien
Mansonnien - Maracay
Mrs S Ricci
We think he will make a very nice novice chaser this season

Midnight Game
Montjeu - Midnight Angel
Gigginstown House Stud
He was trained by Jean-Claude Rouget in France on the Flat, where he won twice over middle-distances. He has a touch of class and after a couple of very promising efforts he opened his hurdling account at Leopardstown and followed up next time out against the useful Dylan Ross. He will continue over hurdles this coming season

Mourad
Sinndar - Mouramara
Teahon Consulting Ltd
He is a wonderfully genuine and consistent performer and I was delighted to see him get his head in front again at Navan last February in the Boyne Hurdle over 2m5f where he beat Mikael D’Haguenet. He will reappear in the second half of this season

Mozoltov
5g Kayf Tara - Fairmead Princess
Martin Lynch
He is a really nice type who should do well over hurdles this season.

Mikael D’Haguenet
Lavirco - Fleur D’Haguenet
Mrs S Ricci
What a star he has been for the yard over the years with three Grade 1s to his name. He was been in good form last season, winning three times including the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas in January. He will revert to novice chasing this winter

Prince De Beauchene
French Glory - Chipie D’Angron
Andrea & Graham Wylie
He is another of Graham Wylie’s team who is a natural chaser, having won over fences as a 5yo when trained in France. He did well before coming to us, notably when winning the Listed John Smith’s Handicap Chase off a mark of 138. He is a fine big stamp of a horse that literally jumps for fun. He missed the Aintree Grand National through injury but is back in training and will be aimed for that race again.

Quel Esprit
Saint Des Saints - Jeune D’Esprit
Red Barn Syndicate
Last season he won the Hennessy and was third in the Punchestown Gold Cup thanks to some superb jumping. He won’t be seen out until the second half of this season.

Quevega
Robin Des Champs - Vega V1
Hammer & Trowel Syndicate

What an incredible mare she has been for us winning the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for the past four seasons, as well as the last three runnings of the World Series Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. As always, it’s the same plan again for this season

 

[Hoof]

Sicilian Secret
Flemensfirth - Kala Supreme
Mrs S Ricci
He finally came good in a beginners chase at Killarney in September and willcontinue in novice and handicap chases.

Shakervilz
Villez - Zamsara
Mrs J M Mullins
He had a nice win over hurdles at Kilbeggan and and followed up over fences at Listowel. He will mix it over the coming months between hurdles, chases and the odd cross-country race, which he took well to last season

Sweet My Lord
Johann Quatz - Hasta Manana
Aiden Devaney
He won a beginners chase at Tramore where he jumped confidently for a novice first time over fences. We will continue over jumps with him but we will keep an open mind for the odd hurdle race or maybe he could even appear on the flat. He lost his way a bit over fences at Listowel and Tipperary but we will keep trying with him

Themoonandsixpence
Presenting - Elphis
Mrs S Ricci
He will go for the Munster National at Limerick but it looks as if the soft ground there will be against us

Twinlight
Muhtathir - Fairlight
M L Bloodstock Ltd
He won well over fences at Listowel and will stay novice chasing for the season

Una Veintena
Shantou / Killiney Treasure
Supreme Horse Racing Club
She is not the biggest mare but had a nice first run over hurdles when fourth at Gowarn Park. We think she will suited by a trip

Who’s Cross
Runyon / Mystery Escort
Declan Donohoe
He won his bumper in good style at Sligo and ran well in Galway despite the heavy ground.He might go jumping now

Zadarska
Zagreb - Betterbebob
Festival Syndicate
He had some good runs but was ultimately disappointing in bumpers.
However, he looks sure to make his name over hurdles over distances of 2m 4f and up.

Zuzka
Flemensfirth / Downtown Train
Supreme Horse Racing Club
She has won two bumpers and a maiden hurdle and we will try to win another hurdle race before putting her away for the winter.

Sin Palo
Dushyantor / Platinum Gold
Down The Hatch Syndicate
He jumped very well on the whole when winning his beginners chase at Kilbeggan in June.He prefers good ground and we will continue with him over fences.

Thousand Stars
Hammer & Trowel Syndicate
He ran well in Tipperary on his first run back and will now be aimed at the Grand Prix D’Automne Hurdle at Auteuil in November .No Cheltenham Festival for Thousand Stars this season according to Willie Mullins in RP Stable Tour. Aintree Hurdle the plan.

Uncle Junior
Saddlers' Hall / Caslain Nua
Mrs M McMahon
He ran well enough to finish a staying-on sixth in the Crystal Cup series of cross-country races, the 4m 2f Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic on 13 October

Simenon
Marju - Epistoliere
Nick Peacock
He had a marvellous summer, winning twice at Royal Ascot. Unfortunately, when we stepped him up in grade at York he wasn’t good enough. He will now go to Ascot on Champions day and then revert back jumping.

Shes Tensixysix
Norwich/Another Partner
Kevin Hastings Racing Syndicate
She finished third first time out in a bumper at Galway. We will try to win a bumper with her before the ground gets really heavy

Tasitiocht
Oscar / Victorine
CCR Racing Syndicate
She has won two bumpers and finished runner-up in the other two she contested. She will continue in novice hurdles

Tarla
Lavirco - Targerine
Mrs S Ricci
She has twice won nicely over hurdles and also won well on the flat at Roscommon.Wet conditions suit her and we will mix it between the flat and hurdles until the end of the season.

Wrong Way Corrigan
Broadway Flyer - Supreme Dipper
Mrs C M Hurley
He has been consistent in bumpers and will go hurdling.

The Midnight Club
Flemensfirth – Larry’s Peach
Mrs S Ricci
He will go down the cross-country route this season

The Paparazzi Kid
Milan - Banbury Cross
Byerley Thoroughbred Racing
He had two runs in bumpers, winning the first of them at Navan by 15L on heavy ground. He was beaten last time out at Naas, which was a little disappointing. He will now go novice hurdling.

Sarabad
Astarabad - Saraphine
Mrs S Ricci
He is a nice type, although in his five career starts he hasn’t won yet. He came to us from France on the back of two second placed efforts over hurdles at Auteuil. Neither of his two runs for us have been eye-catching, but the ground has almost certainly not been to his liking. We will probably keep him to hurdling for the time being.

Sergent Guib’s
5g Califet - Miss Quessie
Mrs S Ricci
He has been disappointing over hurdles and will go novice chasing this winter.

Sir Des Champs
Robin Des Champs - Liste En Tete
Gigginstown House Stud
He came to us having won over hurdles at Auteuil and continued the winning form in every run he has had for us. Last year, on only his second effort for us he won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and he returned there again this year to land the Jewson Novices Chase. He might start off this season in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown

 

[Hoof]

Zaidpour
Red Ransom - Zainta
Mrs S Ricci
He did really well last winter, winning four before finishing second to Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. He will continue over hurdles this season.

So Young
Lavirco - Honey
Mrs M McMahon

He won three on the trot last season before running in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. There are still some nice hurdle races to be won with him this season but we will school him over fences before making a definite decision about his future.

Ut De Sivola
Robin Des Champs - Kerrana
Philip Reynolds
He pulled up in the Triumph at Cheltenham but bounced back to form when a close second in the Grade 1 Champion 4yo Hurdle at Punchestown. He may stick to hurdling this season or could perhaps go novice chasing.

Vesper Bell
Beneficial - Fair Choice

C C R Racing Syndicate

He is a fine big strong individual who should make a lovely novice chaser this season.

 

[mayo]

Thanks Hoof. Best I have seen.

 

[Terry]

Not giving much away as we have come to expect but interesting on the fly

 

[Old Vic]

Boston Bob, who lost his unbeaten record over hurdles to the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze at the Cheltenham Festival, is due to make his chasing debut in the next fortnight.

Owner Graham Wylie is excited about the prospect of one of his leading lights starting the career he was bought for.

Having won a Grade One at Navan and a Grade Two with a 10lb penalty at Leopardstown for Willie Mullins, he was sent off one of the warmest favourites of the Festival in March, but was always going a stride too quick in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

"Boston Bob is coming along nicely, Willie tells me," said Wylie.

"He doesn't say much but what he says is very interesting. I usually only go over there for the Grade Ones.

"I think he might be out in the next two weeks.

"He's schooled very well, so I've been told, and Willie said from the first day he clapped eyes on him that he was made for fences.

"I've got some lovely horses in Ireland with Back In Focus, On His Own and Prince De Beauchene all to run."

 

[Yeehaa]

Hurricane Fly is on course to return to action at Punchestown on Sunday week and settle some unfinished business with the Grade One €80,000 feature there. The 2011 Stan James Champion Hurdle hero ran once before in the Dobbins and Madigans Morgiana Hurdle but could finish only third to his old rival Solwhit in the 2009 renewal.

That is one of just two defeats in the Willie Mullins trained star’s last 13 starts, the other being a third behind Rock On Ruby in last March’s title defence at Cheltenham.

Afterwards Hurricane Fly returned to winning form at the Punchestown festival but Mullins is keen to start off again with a clean-sheet in this campaign. “Things just didn’t go right for him last season and he wasn’t quite 100 per cent at home early on,” the champion trainer reported yesterday. “All going well I’m really looking forward to getting him back to proper form.”

Mullins nominated the Morgiana as a probable return date for the son of Montjeu who is a 6 to 1 favourite with the Champion Hurdle sponsors to become the first since Comedy Of Errors in 1975 to regain the hurdling crown.

 

[JohnC]

Taking his time this year or something amiss ?

 

[Sprinter]

Anymore about this one ..on Nick Lucks five to follow

Clondaw Court (Willie Mullins)

While pinning hopes on horses from the Irish point field can be fraught with danger, it looks highly significant that Mullins snapped up this son of good stallion Court Cave on behalf of main patron Rich Ricci, most of whose good stock has come from France.

Pedigree analysis shows that many of this horse’s relatives have improved considerably as six and seven-year-olds, which only deepens the impression Clondaw Court created at Largy earlier in the year. If you want to see for yourself, you can watch it on YouTube: he looks naturally athletic at his obstacles and - insofar as it is discernible in a Point - looks to have enough pace to be competitive in bumpers. He is an exciting prospect.

 

[mayo]

Another one I cant see much about

Annie Power (4yo, W Mullins)

Willie Mullins tends to improve most of the horses that join his stable from other yards though he may have a job on his hands with this one as it is leaving Jim Bolger, no mug himself. The interesting point about this one is who it has been bought by - the Riccis - as they seem never to buy a bad one and certainly aren't short of a bob or two, their acquisitions in the past having included Mikael D'Haguenet, Tarla and Blazing Tempo.

Certainly, Mullins should have a good gauge on the ability of this one, his son Paddy having ridden her in all three starts and whatever your opinion of him as a jockey, he should be a good judge at this point in his life and certainly comes across as such. The fact that his Shirocco filly emerges from summer bumpers is a concern but she won all three such races easily and has shown the ability to handle deep ground.

 

[Sefton]

Tarla looks a good one.

Tarla made a sparkling fencing debut in the T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase at Clonmel.

In receipt of weight from nearly all of her rivals, Ruby Walsh decided not to hang about on Willie Mullins' six-year-old.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite on the back of some smart hurdles form, she was nevertheless thrown in at the deep end in this Grade Three event.

It was hard to tell Tarla was making her first start over fences, however, as she jumped like an old hand.

Main market rival Knockfierna was badly hampered by the fall of Ros Brin half a mile out, but she would have had her work cut out in any case as Tarla defeated Our Girl Salley by eight lengths without coming off the bridle.

Mullins said: "She was very good and she had looked a natural at home.

"When she won over hurdles at Punchestown it looked as though fences would be no problem.

"We schooled her then and she looked as good as she was out there.

"She is very quick, even when she was a little wrong at a fence. We'll mix it between hurdles and fences now.

"There is a bit more prize-money over fences. Trying to keep her sound will be the hard thing.

"She was off the track for two years so the worry is to see if she's sound in the morning. The Grade One at Punchestown is her end-of-season target."

 

[Yeehaa]

Tarla

Tarla

Tarla looks a good one.

Another star may have been unveiled in the Grade 3 EBF T.A Morris Memorial Mares Chase in the shape of Willie Mullins’ Tarla.

The shrewd handler threw the six-year-old in at the deep end on her debut over fences and she proceeded to give an exhibition of jumping and staying power.

Ruby Walsh hardly had a moment’s worry, as Tarla made most of the running, easing eight lengths clear of the gambled-on Our Girl Salley, whose cause wasn’t helped when squeezed between horses jumping the fourth.

Said Mullins: "She schooled a few times at home and was as good as today. I will now mix it with her between fences and hurdles.

"I just hope she stays sound, she was off for two years and that will be the worry in the morning."

 

[mayo]

Willie Mullins looks set to facilitate a mouth-watering early showdown between two of Irish racing's brightest chasing prospects after confirming that his ante-post Gold Cup favourite Sir Des Champs will tackle Flemenstar at Punchestown on December 9.

Although reluctant to speculate as to whether Leopardstown's Lexus Chase or Kempton's King George VI Chase might appeal more as a follow-up target, the champion trainer stated that his Gigginstown Stud-owned six-year-old would be campaigned with March's Prestbury Park showpiece as the ultimate goal.

"I imagine we are gearing towards the Gold Cup," Mullins admitted of the dual Cheltenham Festival hero. "He'll probably start off in the John Durkan and he's entered in the King George, but he'll be entered for Leopardstown at Christmas too."

 

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Stonking day yesterday for the Mullins team.

Champagne Fever sticking to hurdles now according to latest reports.

 

[Yeehaa]

Champagne Fever (IRE)

The Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival hero made a triumphant debut over obstacles at Cork on Sunday.

His trainer Willie Mullins will now choose between the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 2 and the Navan Novice Hurdle two weeks later for his talented grey.

"He's come out of his race well. He's entered in the Royal Bond and the hurdle at Navan," Mullins told At The Races.

"He'll go for one of the two, but the two and a half (mile) race at Navan would be the more obvious one.

"We'll see how he comes out of his last race and what is going to run before making a final decision."

 

[Yeehaa]

Boston Bob (IRE)

The seven-year-old showed top-class form over timber last season but was beaten by the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze on his final start in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.He holds entries in a beginners chase at Gowran Park on Saturday and a race Navan on Sunday, but Mullins feels the Grade One winner might benefit from a another week before making his reappearance.

"Ruby (Walsh) rode a bit of work on him yesterday and was very pleased with him. He's entered at the weekend but I might just take another week with him," the County Carlow trainer told At The Races.

"I'm looking forward to him as a novice chaser."

Mullins is in no hurry to decide on the participation of Bishopsfurze and Sweet My Lord in Navan's Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase.

"I've put the two in that race. Bishopsfurze is the one but I might be able to find an easier contest for him than the Troytown," he said.

"It's a nice prize but for the first race back I might find an easier contest somewhere."

 

[flatman]

The Willie Mullins trained French import Blood Cotil (4/9f )made an impressive winning debut in Ireland, wasily taking the opening Racegoer's €25 Package 3YO Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the son of Enrique travelled well throughout and went past leader Hazariban before the final flight. On the run-in, Blood Cotil quickened effortlessly clear for a 17 lengths win over Hazariban.

Afterwards Mullins stated “Blood Cotil jumps well, stays well and is a horse to look forward to.

“The faster the pace the more it will suit him and he's a hardy a horse as I've had around the place for a while. He takes everything that I throw at him and it's interesting that Scolardy was a bit like that too. We'll find a suitable opportunity for him next.”

Paddy Power introduced Blood Cotil at 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle next March, while Stan James go 33/1 for the same race.

 

[Old Vic]

ruby

I’m on Zaidpour - in preference to So Young - in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, but not too much should be read into that.

Both horses are schooling and working the same, very nicely, and picking between them was a real head-scratcher.

Voler La Vedette was a bit disappointing when beaten at Navan, but I’d expect the real Voler to arrive on Sunday. If she does then we will all be up against it in any case.

At Fairyhouse today give Mikael d’Haguenet another chance in the two miles and five beginners chase.

I recommended him strongly here two weeks ago for a race at Punchestown and, watching at Cheltenham, nearly cried when I saw what happened.

He was going to win alone, but for losing his footing completely at the back of the final fence, and then couldn’t get back at El Fontan.

Remarkably, he seems to have suffered no ill-effects and is moving, working and looking great and I have not lost faith.

 

[Old Vic]

Champion Trainer Willie Mullins combined with Champion Jockey Davy Russell (completing a double) to win the Fairyhouse On Facebook Hurdle at Fairyhouse today with Midnight Game.

Russell was patient on the son of Montjeu before moving to the front approaching the final flight, staying on well to defeat 4/9f Staying Article by seven lengths,

Afterwards Mullins stated “Midnight Game is a lot stronger this year but when I took the quarter sheet off him on the parade ring, I thought he looked big and I was a bit worried. Maybe he is better with that bit of strength though.

“His jumping seems to be sharper this season and we'll probably move him up to a Grade 3 race next - he looks to have plenty of gears.”