Willie Mullins Stable Tour

[mayo]

Ruby Sunday rides


I will be aboard Sanctuaire for Paul Nicholls and we are set to go head-to-head with Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson’s Sprinter Sacre.

This will not be for the faint-hearted, there will be no hiding place, but something has to give at some stage.

Between them these two horses are unbeaten in eight races over fences, five for Sprinter Sacre and three for Sanctuaire. As well as that the handicapper says my lad is only 3lbs behind Barry’s horse.

Sanctuaire has been terrific so far and produced a superb effort in a Grade 2 at Sandown in April, destroying the vastly more experienced Somersby by 17 lengths.

In theory that was a staggering display by a horse having only his third outing over fences. But I’m not getting carried away.

I believe Somserby, and others in that race, weren’t really at their best, at the end of a long campaign. That said, Sanctuaire could do no more than bounce out and, essentially, run them into the ground.

There’s only one way to ride him and that’s to let the horse do his own thing and bowl away in front. I don’t know what will happen in the second half of the race, but will be amazed if we are not running the show for the first half.

Sprinter Sacre is a smashing horse and Barry, who is a great judge, absolutely adores him. Among his five successes was a tremendous performance to land the Arkle at Cheltenham.

He is a serious machine and there is no doubt Sanctuaire has it all to do to beat him. But fasten your seat belts, we will be doing our best.

My afternoon begins on Sam Winner in a handicap hurdle. He has to carry top weight and it’s a big ask.

Sam has been off the track exactly a year, having got injured when falling three out over fences at Cheltenham.

He was travelling beautifully when departing and, prior to that, fell at Exeter, at the last, with a race at his mercy.

Today will be all about trying to give him a confidence-booster, before he returns to tackle fences again.

Hinterland, who ran far too free for his own good when getting beaten at Exeter, is on a retriving mission in a Grade 1 novice chase.

Inevitably he tired then, but on this occasion we will be employing far different tactics. I’ll be dropping him in and if we can beat Captain Conan then we’ll draw.

I end on Tempo de Cotte, a horse I know nothing about, in a handicap chase. The only thing I can say is that Paul never asks me to ride a horse at less than 10-4 and this fellow has 10-2.

Tomorrow, I head south to meet my Cork friends and have three decent chances, starting with Shamar in a maiden hurdle.

He’s an ex-French horse, who has run just once for Willie Mullins, disappointing at Gowran Park in February.

But his work is far better now and he should go close, in a race which seems to be all about quantity, rather than quality.

I think Blazing Tempo has a great chance in a Grade 2 over fences. She’s in really good form at home and arrives on the back of wins over flights at Kilbeggan and Gowran Park.

I finish on Tarla in a Grade 3 over fences for mares and am particularly looking forward to renewing acquaintances with her.

She was quite breathtaking when winning at Clonmel and I will obviously be hoping for more of the same.

I’ll be surprised if Willie fails to get among the winners at Navan today. Un Atout has been well schooled and will be hard to beat in a maiden hurdle.

The Paparazzi Kid, beaten at long odds-on when I rode him at Clonmel, will come on a ton for the outing and might cope with Moscow Mannon in another maiden hurdle.

And Marasonnien, who has schooled exceptionally well, can get it right at the first time of asking over fences in a beginners chase.

Willie has a powerful hand too at Punchestown tomorrow and the likes of Pride Ofthe Parish, Balnaslow, Mikael d’ Haguenet and Sizing Tennessee are all going to take whacking.

And, of course, he runs Gigginstown’s Sir Des Champs against two high-class opponents in Flemenstar and Rubi Light in the John Durkan.

I actually rode Sir Des Champs some work relatively recently and was greatly impressed. I’m a big fan of this horse.

I have the utmost respect for the other two, especially Flemenstar, but think Sir Des Champs will handle them.

 

[mayo]

Ruby Sunday

I’m delighted Boston Bob is making his debut over fences in the opener at Navan tomorrow, rather than on a Saturday.

A cracking horse, it will be his first run since chasing home Brindisi Breeze in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March.

He has schooled well, done a lot of work and the expectation at Willie Mullins’ is that he will go and deliver in style.

On ratings Simenon should win a Grade 2 hurdle, but he performed so badly at Punchestown last time that it is hard to be confident.

He stays extreme distances on the flat, but it is worth noting that both his wins over flights have come at two miles.

I had a choice between Pont Alexandre and Reine Angevine in a Grade 1 hurdle and have gone with the former.

He is a winner over hurdles in France, is a grand horse and doing everything right at home. But, realistically, we are all running for second.

I thought Don Cossack was unbelievably impressive first time over jumps at Navan and it will take a brave man to oppose him.

 

[mayo]

At Thurles tomorrow, I team up with yet another of Willie Mullins’ French-imports, Unika La Reconce, in a maiden hurdle for mares.

Because she failed to win France, the four-year-old gets a 5lbs allowance and that’s obviously a help. She is working and schooling well at home and I’m hopeful she will win.

My only other ride is Caballo de Marcus for Conor O’Dwyer in another maiden hurdle. I rode Tony Martin’s Living Next Door to beat Conor’s horse by a head at Limerick last time.

I thought, prior to the race, it looked a very modest affair, but it didn’t ride like that at all. Let’s just say I’m more than happy to have been called on by Conor.

I fancy two of Willie’s at Navan today, Touch The Eden and Bally Longford. I liked what I saw when Paul Townend guided Touch The Eden to an easy win at Thurles and expect him to take a novice hurdle.

I think Bally Longford can land the bumper. I know he was run over by Curley Bill at Downpatrick, but will strip fitter now.

 

[Hoof]

Willie Mullins had a one-two in the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase as Back In Focus wore down Aupcharlie to win by a head.

Aupcharlie (8/1) nodded after jumping the last in front and Ruby Walsh galvanised Back In Focus to get his head in front close home and justify 6/4 favouritism.

“That’s a fantastic win. We didn’t think for one minute that Ruby would get back up until he did. He needs every inch of three miles and ground even softer that that. He’s a real winter horse,” Willie Mullins said.

“As much as I’m delighted I’m sorry for Aupcharlie and Andrew Lynch. It was only his second run over fences and he’s run a fantastic race.

“Back In Focus has the RSA written all over him. We’ll look for a race over three miles for him.

“With Aupcharlie we could look for the PJ Moriarty. We’ll keep them apart. There is no point in them taking each other on again.

“Aupcharlie could be a horse for the Jewson. The way he jumped he could even come back to the minimum trip. They are two horses to look forward to.”

Texas Jack got third-placed money at 33/1 for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry.

Back In Focus is unchanged at 14/1 with Paddy Power and Boylesports for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. Satn James have cut him to 12/1 from 16s while they have Aupcharlie at 10/1 from 16/1 for the Jewson.

(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)

 

[Royal Tan]

Ruby on Todays runners

I ride Marasonnien in the Beginners' Chase. He was probably disappointing on his first run in Navan but he's been working well at home and I think he's a very good horse.

He took a couple of runs to come to hand last year but when he did he was very good. He jumped out to his right at Navan, which was unlike him, and he'll have to run a bit straighter if he's to win today. But we think he's a fair horse and we hope he can put his Navan disappointment behind him.

Patrick (Mullins) is riding Zuzka and I ride Glens Melody in the mares' race. Zuzka finished third behind Jezki and Champagne Fever at Fairyhouse - that's a cracking run, her best to date, and it got a real boost when Jezki won the Future Champions Novices' Hurdle earlier in the week.

But Glens Melody won three bumpers and was a winner last time out over hurdles. She's only a four-year-old but she's a very good filly too and she has only 10-9 on her back. There's probably not a lot between Willie's two and I'm happy enough with the one I'm on.

I ride Darroun in the Pertemps Qualifier. He's only a four-year-old but I think he's crying out for this sort of trip. He was going to go chasing but Willie decided to let him take his chance over hurdles here.

He's been in fine form at home and has a good each-way chance but these Pertemps Qualifers are a real minefield for punters. Apt Approach was a good winner over hurdles in Fairyhouse a few weeks back. He'll like the trip too.

In the bumper, Willie runs Outlander - a Gigginstown horse who won well on his debut. He works very well and I'd expect him to run a big race.

 

[mayo]

Ruby

I only have three rides at Naas tomorrow, but they are good ones and have every reason to believe will figure among the winners.

Upazo gets the show on the road in the opening maiden hurdle, after running second to a smart Gigginstown horse, Umpact, at Gowran Park.

That was Upazo’s first run in Ireland — he arrived from France — and is entitled to come on plenty. An extra three furlongs in trip will help, but my worry is the ground.

He’s a light-actioned horse and, I think, will be better in the spring, when meeting a decent surface. Mind you, this doesn’t look a great race and he is well capable of winning.

I like Marito in the novice chase. He won for me first time over fences at Thurles and his jumping was near faultless.

He came from France with a huge reputation and that Thurles run was just his third for Willie Mullins. He’ll be hard to beat.

And then Champagne Fever, a horse I particularly like, is the icing on the cake in the Slaney Hurdle. His second to Jezki in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse could hardly have worked out any better.

Both Jezki and Zuzka, who was third in the Royal Bond, both bolted in subsequently and you can’t ask for better than that. The Royal Bond was over two miles and Champagne Fever is crying out for this two and a half.

A word about Hurricane Fly, who was so impressive when winning at Leopardstown last Saturday. I was delighted with him.

He travelled quite beautifully through the contest and jumped like a stag. Then I gave him a squeeze turning in and he bounded clear.

Hurricane Fly has now produced two excellent displays so far this season and I’ll be looking for more of the same in the Irish Champion Hurdle, back at Leopardstown, at the end of this month.

 

[Yeehaa]

Timeform on afew of Willies ...

In a strong renewal of the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase, the Willie Mullins-trained pair that drew clear after the last, Back In Focus and Aupcharlie, marked themselves out as Cheltenham contenders. Back In Focus is now rated 152p, having progressed again to maintain his unbeaten record by the skin of his teeth, looking held early on the run-in but finding plenty to lead under pressure near the finish. He is open to further improvement granted sufficient emphasis on stamina, will be suited by further than 3m and would take some beating in a soft-ground RSA Chase.

Aupcharlie ran an absolute blinder on just his second start over fences, taking his rating from 136p to 151 in one hit. Jumping soundly, he travelled best to loom up two out but was caught close home after pecking at the last. He will reportedly be kept away from the winner now and looks one of the strongest contenders for the Jewson at this stage.

The final day of the Festival saw Hurricane Fly make short work of his rivals in the Grade 1 Festival Hurdle, adding to his 2010 win in the corresponding race in impressive style. Looking as good as ever, backed up by a performance rating of 169+, Hurricane Fly jumped fluently and travelled strongly, before quickening to lead entering the straight and soon going clear. It's more than three years since he tasted defeat on home soil, but he's going to be made to work a lot harder if he's to win another Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and his aura of invincibility was lost in defeat there last year, allowing that he might not have been right on the day.

 

[mayo]

Donn


Here’s a game you can play at home: match the Willie Mullins-trained horse with the probable Cheltenham target. Like, Sir Des Champs – Gold Cup. (The first one is done for you.)

Hurricane Fly – Champion Hurdle. Quevega – Mares’ Hurdle. This game isn’t so difficult. Maybe Zuzka will join Quevega in the Mares’ Hurdle, maybe Quevega will run in the World Hurdle as well, three days after the Mares’ Hurdle. It has been mentioned as a possibility. Even so, you have to think that the mares’ race will be her primary Cheltenham objective.

Uncle Junior? Cross-country Chase. It gets easier. Clondaw Court? Bumper. Blood Cotil? Triumph Hurdle. These targets are picking themselves. Arvika Ligeonniere? Arkle probably, maybe Jewson. It’s unlikely to be the RSA Chase anyway. And so it gets interesting.

Willie has a depth of talent in the novice chasing division, which isn’t entirely unprecedented, or wholly surprising, given his modus operandi. In Arvika Ligeonniere, Aupcharlie, Back In Focus and Boston Bob, the trainer has four horses who could climb to the very top of the chasing tree in the medium term. In the short term, although the four of them are collectively owned by three different owners, you have to think that efforts will be made to keep them apart this March.

While Arvika Ligeonniere has plenty of stamina – as he showed when he beat Dedigout in the Drinmore Chase, a race that is usually won by a horse who, more often than not, goes on to be a staying chaser – he also has bundles of pace. He had the pace to beat Oscars Well (a 160-rated hurdler) in the Grade 1 Racing Post Chase at Leopardstown over two miles on St Stephen’s Day, so it is difficult to argue that he is not a potential Arkle horse. In another year or in another yard, two and a half miles could be his trip, he could be a Jewson horse, but the Arkle is a more prestigious race than the Jewson anyway so, given that he is not devoid of pace, the Arkle is his logical target.

Of the other three, Aupcharlie is the most likely to drop down to two and a half miles. Watching him finish second behind Back In Focus over three miles in the Topaz Chase at Leopardstown on Lexus day, you can easily argue that two and a half miles could be his optimum trip. He travels so well, he jumps so well – he traded at 1.01 in-running when he jumped the last fence in front in the Topaz, before he was just beaten for stamina by his stable companion up the hill – there is every chance that he will be an even more potent force over the shorter trip. It looks like the Jewson Chase for him.

That leaves Back In Focus and Boston Bob. They could both be aimed at the RSA Chase, but they are both owned by Graham Wylie, so you have to think that both owner and trainer will want to keep them apart. It’s almost a coin toss, both have massive potential as staying chasers, and both stay really well. Of the pair, though, if you had to choose one of them to go an even longer trip, you would probably choose Back In Focus. That’s him for the four-miler, then, Boston Bob for the RSA Chase.

Novice hurdlers? Before Sunday, you probably would have said Champagne Fever – Neptune Hurdle and Pont Alexandre – Albert Bartlett. Things are up in the air a little now, though, after the former’s defeat in the Slaney Hurdle at Naas. He did come home with a respiratory tract infection, so at least the suspicion that it wasn’t his true running has become reality, but it still isn’t ideal, to be sick just nine weeks before you have to be ready to run for your life.

The Neptune Hurdle is a race in which the champion trainer does really well – ref. Mikael D’Haguenet, Fiveforthree, So Young, Felix (even) Yonger – and it may be that Pont Alexandre was always going to be his Neptune horse anyway. However, don’t be surprised if Champagne Fever bounces back from yesterday’s defeat. Maybe Un Atout for the Supreme then.

 

[JohnC]

Daily updates section on wpmullins.com looks like place to go ...




When
Friday, Jan 11, 2013
Where
Dundalk (map)
Description
We have two runners in the 1m 4f QR handicap and unfortunately both are badly drawn. Deutschland (Patrick) reverts to the flat here having contested a cross country chase at Cheltenham last time. He won a similar race to today’s over 2m 1f at this track in July 2009 and is running off a 16lbs lower mark here. He has lost his way a bit since but has run well in the past for Patrick. Moveable Asset (Aisling O’Brien) was second over hurdles at Tramore on New Year’s Eve but was a bit disappointing on a couple of occasions at this track in last month. Ideally, he would prefer further but hopefully he will be competitive today.

 

[Bill72]

Ruby


back home



Midnight Game set to complete hat-trick

By Ruby Walsh

Saturday, January 12, 2013

This is going to be a particularly quiet weekend for me. I’m suspended today and have only one ride at Navan tomorrow, Willie Mullins’ Suntiep in a two miles and seven maiden hurdle.

If he manages to win then that will be something at least, but I’ve a feeling it is going to be a long and lonely couple of days!

Suntiep is now a seven-year-old, but has only run once in his life, arriving late on to take a two miles and three bumper at Limerick.

Truth to tell, I was a trifle surprised he was able to win a bumper. He has schooled well at home and his other strong point is that he seems to stay well. I’m hoping Suntiep can do the business, but can’t really tell you to go backing him.

One horse I feel you should back is Willie’s Midnight Game, in what should be a three-horse affair in a two mile novice hurdle.

Willie has also declared Pickapocketortwo, but he’s in as well at Punchestown today. Midnight Game is beginning to get his act together and has won nicely of late at Thurles and Fairyhouse.

Cause Of Causes and Hisaabaat are good opponents and this will certainly be no cakewalk. But I just think Midnight Game is finally coming to the horse Willie has always believed him to be and can complete the hat-trick.

Willie has one other runner, Wicklow Gold, in the Bumper. On the bare evidence of his sole outing, he’s hard enough to fancy.

Wicklow Gold was a long way back when seventh at Fairyhouse in April, but too much shouldn’t be read into that. He’s already every inch a chaser, is far from flashy, but will keep going.

Willie has plenty of runners at Punchestown today, so let’s have a look at that, starting with Toostrong in the beginners chase.

He’s a fine big horse and chasing was always going to be his game. Toostrong has schooled brilliantly and won’t lack for fitness, having been in for a long time.

Willie hasn’t half set a real poser for Paul Townend by running both Diakali and Dogora in the Grade 3 hurdle for juveniles.

Paul has gone with Diakali, but it cannot have been an easy decision. He rode him to win easily at Gowran Park and was also aboard when Dogora toyed with the opposition at Limerick at Christmas.

These horses are polar opposities. Diakali is flat-bred and much sharper than Dogora. But Dogora is one for the future, is bigger and hardy to boot.

If you put a gun to my head I’d probably side with Diakali, but it could be a much different story say in 12 months time.

Willie’s Champagne Agent is fairly frustrating and hardly a betting proposition in a two-mile maiden hurdle as he always finds at least one too good for him.

He has two of the five in a conditions hurdle, Pickapocketortwo and Sergent Guib’s, and I’d favour the latter, but neither may cope with a race-fit Shrapnel.

Willie’s Rockaboya hasn’t run for 343 days, but has a life in a modest handicap hurdle. He’s in good form at home anyway and Patrick Mullins seems very happy with him.

 

[JohnC]

Thanks Bill.

From the website

Toostrong (Davy Russell) has his first run over fences in the 2m 4f beginners chase. He is a fine big chasing type and he has schooled well. He might prefer better ground but he is fit and well and will benefit from the experience he will gain in this company. We have two in the 4yo hurdle over 2 miles. Diakali (Paul) won well on his debut at Gowran and looked as if he might improve from that run. He will handle the ground and track but this is a good race and Gordon Elliott’s horse deserves plenty of respect. Dogora (David Casey) also won nicely in lesser company at Limerick over Christmas. He showed he jumps and stays well and we will see what improvement he has made here. Champagne Agent (Paul) goes for the 2 mile maiden hurdle. He was disappointing at Gowran last time but that was over 3 miles and we think today’s trip will suit him better. We are not sure he handles really heavy ground but we are hoping he will at least get a share of the spoils here. Rockyaboya (Patrick) runs in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle. This is a tough assignment on his first run back but we are hoping he will be placed. We run two in the 2m 4f conditions hurdle. Pickapocketortwo (Patrick) is suited by the race conditions but this is his first run of the season after losing his form last time. It would be nice to see him return to his best but it won’t be easy for him in this testing ground. Sergent Guib’s (Paul) was third in this race last year and should handle the ground here. Overall he has been disappointing but we are hoping he will be better this year. He will probably go chasing after today.

 

[Sizing]

Treble today ?

The somewhat frustrating Mikael d’Haguenet can get his act together in the W T O’Grady Memorial EBF Novice Chase, after again hitting the deck five out in the race won by Argocat at Limerick at Christmas.

He will be ridden by Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins and the pair can also team up to score with Tarla and Ballycasey.

Tarla, a faller at the last when sure to score at Cork in December, can set the record straight in the other Grade 2 on the programme, the Fame And Glory And Sans Frontieres Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Ballycasy, who shaped like a thorough stayer when easily taking a modest two and a half mile maiden at Clonmel, can successfully step up in class in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.

 

[mayo]

Un atout


Champion trainer Willie Mullins said: “He’s a course and distance winner in Naas, so we’re happy enough to let him run there.

“We’ll know a lot more about him after the race.”

 

[mayo]

Un atout


Champion trainer Willie Mullins said: “He’s a course and distance winner in Naas, so we’re happy enough to let him run there.

“We’ll know a lot more about him after the race.”

Willie Mullins trains the five-year-old and he commented: "He jumped well and he was very strong in the ground. He stayed but he has plenty of gears too.

"I'm very happy with everything he did today. He'll be entered up in all the races.

"He's in the Deloitte. He'll hardly run before that and I don't know if I want him to run in that either.

"I have no wish to step him up in trip just yet."

Un Atout is 7/1 (from 14s) for the Supreme Novices with Boylesports and 10s (from 14s) for the Neptune.

Un Atout is 9/1 (from 14s) for the Supreme Novices with Stan James. Apparently they went 12/1 initially from 16s but that has been taken already.

Davy Russell has shortened to 4/7 (from 4/6) for the National Hunt Jockey's Championship while Ruby Walsh has drifted to 5/4 (from 11/10) with Stan James.

Paddy Power - Supreme Novices' Un Atout 10/1 from 14s. They also went money back on all losers here. (GC & EM)

 

[Old Vic]

http://www.wpmullins.com/leop.html
Fatcatinthehat (Paul) runs in the 2 mile 4yo maiden hurdle. He was very unlucky last time and we think he will handle the testing conditions today. We are hoping for a big run. Arvika Ligeonnaire (Paul) goes for the Grade 1 Novice Chase over 2m 1f. Today’s ground will be softer than it was when he won at Christmas but if he can put in a similar display here he will take all the beating. Marito (Paul) is in the Grade 2 Novice Chase over 2m 5f. He has shown he can handle soft ground and we think he will like this trip. Hopefully he will maintain his Naas superiority over Mount Benbulben. We have two in the Leopardstown Chase over 2m 5f. Apt Approach (Paul) will love the trip and the ground but he has a lot of weight. Sweet My Lord (David Casey) is having his first run in a handicap but has a lovely racing weight and will have no problem with the trip. We run three in the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle. Rattan (Declan Lavery) has a lot of weight and disappointed in England last time but his rider’s 5lb claim will be a help. Loch Ard (Paul) disappointed badly at Limerick over Christmas but we are hoping for a return to the form he showed at Punchestown last May. Abbey Lane (Emmet Mullins) had a very promising first run for us over two and a half miles and is dropping back in trip today. The testing ground and the lighter weight should compensate for the drop in trip and he has a chance of reaching the frame. City Slicker (Paul) has his first run over hurdles in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle. He jumps well and should give a good account of himself but it’s a very hot looking contest.

 

[Lester]

David Harry Kelly's Moyle Park, well-touted before delivering in style at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day, grabbed the headlines at Cheltenham's Brightwells' January Sale tonight when selling to Harold Kirk for £250,000.
Kirk, who works with Willie Mullins and acting on behalf of the champion trainer here, got the better of Anthony Bromley, positioned at the time with Paul Nicholls.

The Flemensfirth sale-topper, now a five-year-old, is the first foal out of Lovely Present. That daughter of Presenting was successful on the track and she was also placed at Grade 2 level over fences.

 

[Lester]

Leopardstown (map)

Description
Urano (Ruby) goes for the 2 mile maiden hurdle. He has finished second twice but has run up against a couple of very good horses. We hope he will go one better today but we may not see the best of him until the ground dries out in the spring.

We have two in the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m 2f. Zuzka (Ruby) won impressively here at Christmas and would only have to reproduce that form to win again today. Glens Melody (Paul) was third in that race and the experienced gained that day may help her to earn some black type here.

Pont Alexandre (Ruby) runs in the 2m 4f Grade 2 Novice Hurdle. He looked very good when winning at Navan in testing conditions and hopefully a repeat of that run will be good enough here. However he does have a grade 1 winners penalty which is always a concern.

Hurricane Fly (Ruby) runs in the Irish Champion Hurdle. He loves this track and is well able to handle this heavy ground. He has been in great form at home and we are hoping for the best.

Thousand Stars (Paul) also runs in this race and we are hoping he will get a major share of the prize money.

Sizing Chile (Patrick) goes for the bumper. He is a real chasing type and being by Flemingsfirth he should handle the ground. We are looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Rupert Lamb (Ruby) runs in the 2m 1f beginners chase. The experience he gained when second over 2m 5f at Fairyhouse will stand to him here. The ground won’t be ideal for him but we are still expecting a big run over this shorter trip.

 

[Lester]

Daily Update

Make Your Mark (Davy Russell) has his first run of the season in the 2 mile conditions hurdle. We think he will handle the ground and is well in at the weights. He is in great form at home and should go very close.

Raise Hell (Davy Russell) runs in the 2 mile maiden hurdle. He was very disappointing in bumpers but has shown glimpses of form over hurdles. This looks like a very tough assignment for him but maybe he will get a share of the minor money.

Un Beau Roman (Ruby) goes for the other 2 mile maiden hurdle. He was very disappointing on his first run for us in Tramore on New Year’s Day. He was working well before that run and has been in good form at home since. If he can replicate his homework he would not be without a chance here.

 

[Hoof]

Donn now on Sporting Life as well

Wille Mullins feature

Since he first won the Irish trainers' championship in 2008, he has gripped the Irish jumps scene like a drowning man grips a log. Not that Mullins is a drowning man. Buoyant as a life raft filled with helium, this season the champion trainer has gone stratospheric. His 138 winners in Ireland so far this term is 27 more than the total with which he won his first championship just five years ago. More than that, it equals the total that he achieved in the entire of last season when it appeared as though he had reached a zenith.

Willie Mullins' Winners (By Season)

2012-2013* - 138
2011-2012 - 138
2010-2011 - 106
2009-2010 - 146
2008-2009 - 136
2007-2008 - 109
*Up until Feb 5

Add the totals of the trainers lying in second, third and fourth places in the trainers' championship - Meade, Hughes, Elliott, top class trainers all - and you still fall short of Mullins' total. Add the win prize money of the trainers lying in second, third, fourth and fifth in the championship, and Mullins' total is higher still. "Yes, but we could be doing without weekends like last weekend," says the trainer. Rooted to the ground like an oak.

One winner, a Grade Two winner, on a high-class day's racing at Punchestown would be a good day for most trainers. A good week. Not for Willie Mullins. The defeats frustrate. Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser.

Probe a little deeper, however, focus on the positive, and you find that the trainer was very happy with that win, Mozoltov's defeat of Don Cossack and Ned Buntline in the Moscow Flyer Hurdle.

"He jumped well at that speed," he says. "He looked beaten twice, but he pleased me the way that he battled. I'd say it was a fair field. That performance put him into the picture for Cheltenham all right."

As if Mullins needed another top class novice hurdler. Mozoltov just adds to the near-embarrassment of riches that the trainer has amassed this season in the novice hurdling ranks. The difficulty at Cheltenham will be in keeping them apart.

Perhaps Un Atout and Mozoltov for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Ballycasey for the Albert Bartlett, Pont Alexandre and maybe Champagne Fever for the Neptune. Difficult decisions, but you can't really feel sorry for him. For the majority of trainers, these are the choices of Never Never Land.

"I loved Pont Alexandre the moment I saw him," says Willie. "His trainer in France (Laurent Viel) told me that he was as good a horse as he has ever had. Up until about a month before I ran him, I was wondering if he really was going to be that good, but then he started showing me a little at home, and I started to think, he might just be as good as he looks."

Pont Alexandre made his debut for his new trainer in the Grade One Navan Hurdle in December. Never before had the champion trainer run a horse in a Grade One race on his debut for him, but he took the risk with the son of Dai Jin, and it paid off. In spades.

"I was obviously delighted with him when he won that day. That he was able to beat top class opposition on ground that he had never encountered before. And he impressed me again when he won the Grade Two race at Leopardstown 10 days ago. It wouldn't have been easy making all the running on the day, with the ground and the wind, but he is a hardy individual, and he has pace."

Willie Mullins on Pont Alexandre "His trainer in France (Laurent Viel) told me that he was as good a horse as he has ever had. Up until about a month before I ran him, I was wondering if he really was going to be that good, but then he started showing me a little at home, and I started to think, he might just be as good as he looks."

Like Pont Alexandre, Ballycasey and Champagne Fever are both owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci.

"I'd say Ballycasey will go in the Albert Bartlett all right," says their trainer. "He's a good stayer, he has plenty of stamina. Champagne Fever blotted his copybook at Naas. He is on the comeback trail, but he has to bounce back now. We might let him take his chance in the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, and take it from there."

Novice chasers? No easier than the novice hurdlers. Boston Bob is in the Arkle, the Jewson, the RSA Chase and the National Hunt Chase. Back In Focus is in the RSA Chase and the National Hunt Chase. Both horses are owned by Graham Wylie, so they will probably be kept apart.

"Both are in the Dr J Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday, so we'll see how they go. I was hoping to get an easier task for Boston Bob for his second chase. While I was delighted that he won on his debut, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy afterwards. Back In Focus is a real stayer."

Aupcharlie will probably be dropping down in trip from three miles.

"He seemed to be caught for stamina over three miles on his last two runs. He could go in the Arkle or the Jewson, probably the Jewson, although the way he jumps, he wouldn't be out of place in an Arkle. Arvika Ligeonniere is fine after his fall the last day at Leopardstown, and he will probably go in the Arkle."

At least Hurricane Fly's target is certain. The stable star is three for three this season - 14 Grade Ones, remarkable - and he is bang on track to try to regain the Stan James Champion Hurdle crown that he lost last year.

"I am very happy with him this season," says Willie. "Although you never know what's going to happen between now and Champion Hurdle day. You saw what happened to poor Darlan. That was desperate for JP and Nicky. We're just hoping that we get there in one piece."

Quevega? Good. Going well in her work. The Mares' Hurdle is her target and, although she is still in the World Hurdle you'd imagine that she wouldn't turn out again on Thursday if all went to plan on Tuesday.

Uncle Junior? Good. Loves that cross-country track.

Sir Des Champs? Good.

"He is progressing through the season," says his trainer slowly. "He wasn't beaten far in the Lexus, and I expect him to improve from that. He made two significant errors that day, which surprised me. Until he made that mistake at the last fence at Punchestown last April, I would have thought that he was a horse who would never make a mistake.

"Maybe it's the soft ground, maybe he just doesn't jump as well out of that as he does off good ground. His best form is on good ground at Cheltenham. He is on track for the Gold Cup, and I am hoping he will run a big race in the Hennessy at Leopardstown on Saturday."

Willie "I am very happy with him this season. Although you never know what's going to happen between now and Champion Hurdle day. You saw what happened to poor Darlan. That was desperate for JP and Nicky. We're just hoping that we get there in one piece."
Willie

The bumper horses are busy trying to sort themselves out. Clondaw Court and Union Dues and Sizing Tennessee and new recruit Moyle Park and more.

"The form of Moyle Park's race is obviously working out well. I really bought him for next year, though, rather than for this year, but we'll see what happens. We will probably try to win another bumper with him and take it from there."

Blood Cotil and Diakali perhaps for the Triumph Hurdle. Maybe Fatcatinthehat, maybe Dogora. Maybe one or two of those for the Fred Winter Hurdle instead. The first-named pair are both in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, so we should know more after that.

There are others. Lots of others. Vesper Bell possibly for the National Hunt Chase, Call The Police perhaps for the Byrne Group Plate, Inish Island maybe for the Albert Bartlett, maybe for a handicap, the bonus-seeking Abbey Lane perhaps for the County Hurdle or the Coral Cup.

A lot of it is still up in the air. It's early days. Exciting days though, nerve-wracking days, no doubt.

For now, though, from his position at the top of the table, Willie Mullins' cup runneth over.

For more of Donn's thoughts, visit www.donnmcclean.com

 

[Morning Glory]

Four timer yesterday

Sarabad

“Ruby made it a test of stamina and that seems to be what he wants. I wouldn't be afraid to go two-and-a-half or three miles with him,” said Mullins afterwards.

As regards the ground the winning trainer quipped: “That could be described as Auteuil ground where he had his best form before.”


Annie power

“She was taking on more experienced mares today and did it well,” said Mullins.

“I think she handles all types of ground and that's good experience for her jumping around at that speed.

“The last was the only mistake she made and she'll learn a lot from that.

"She's entered at Cheltenham but I think we'll probably keep her at home – there's a good mares race at Fairyhouse (Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle).

“We think quite a lot of her and she could be anything. She could also be a real good chasing mare in time.”

Irish island

It was the winners third start for Mullins, having landed a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in November before finishing a fine second in handicap company at Cheltenham in December.

The winner then, At Fishers Cross, has franked that form since with a Grade 2 victory at Cheltenham last month.

“He's improving all the time,” said Mullins afterwards.

“He's already shown good form at Cheltenham and we'll have to consider the Albert Bartlett. We'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do.”

Call the police

“He's improving and is in everything including the Grand National. I wouldn't mind bringing him back to two miles either as he's such a good jumper that he'd be able to perform at that shorter trip.

“Ruby said the ground was much softer there than on the hurdles course.”