Tag Archive for: Danny Mullins

Ebor next for Jackfinbar after opening jumps account at Galway

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Jackfinbar looks set for a second crack at Ebor glory at York later this month, after making a successful debut over obstacles on the penultimate day of the Galway Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old kept on strongly to justify 11-4 favouritism in the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle, scoring by a length and three-quarters from stablemate Hipop De Loire under Danny Mullins.

Having run well for a long way in last year’s Ebor behind another Closutton inmate in Absurde, Jackfinbar was subsequently cut from 50-1 to 33-1 to claim the valuable York handicap on August 24 by Paddy Power.

Mullins confirmed a trip to the Knavesmire is likely to be on the agenda for not only the winner but also the runner-up.

He said: “Both my horses were nine and seven years of age and were coming off the Flat so wouldn’t have known about hurdling and Jackfinbar was very keen. It is a different pace over jumps, so they had to settle back and think, but both did it nicely.

“It was a pity having to run them against each other but I hadn’t another opportunity to get them out this week and I wanted to run.

“Jackfinbar had two injuries and was too late when he came out to go novice hurdling last year and with the other fellow (Hipop De Loire), I just wanted to wait with him. They are two nice horses.

“The first and second might go to the Ebor in York now – Absurde got beaten here last year and went on and won the Ebor, so these will try and do the same.”

Puppet Master took full advantage of a good opportunity to get off the mark in the BoyleSports Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav Irish EBF Maiden.

The Galway Races Summer Festival – Day Six – Galway Racecourse
Puppet Master ridden by Wayne Lordan winning at Galway (Niall Carson/PA).

Aidan O’Brien’s juvenile was sent off at 1-2 on the back of a promising debut second at Killarney and put in a professional display to oblige by four lengths under Wayne Lordan.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is a lovely colt who had a lovely run with Jack (Cleary) in Killarney and coming here with a run under your belt really stands to you. He can travel, quicken and will be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year.

“It was Wayne’s first time sitting on him and he was delighted with him and thought he has the makings of a really nice horse. He has a very good attitude and he also has a turn of foot, which is important.

“At the moment, he will be in the mix for the Beresford.”

Flying Bay put in a game front-running display to win the Bathshack Maiden for Andrew Kinirons and Ben Coen at 15-2, just holding on from the fast-finishing Vadali to score by half a length.

The Galway Races Summer Festival – Day Six – Galway Racecourse
Flying Bay ridden by Ben Coen (left) on their way to winning at Galway (Niall Carson/PA).

Kinirons said: “The lads (owners) are great and have been patient with him. I thought he was a serious horse last year but he got the usual bad scopes and I ran him too fresh on his first run at the Curragh. He was just weak and the New Bays need time.

“I had him entered in the (Irish) 2,000 Guineas last year, so it is hard to give them time when they’re working so well. We held back though, as he is a big baby and got a good education in Killarney when he hit the line well and the form has worked out.

“I’d say there is a lot of improvement in him and Ben was key to him as he had been riding work on him and didn’t get to ride him in a race until the last day.”

Lady O benefitted from having cheek pieces fitted when running out a decisive winner of the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Nursery Handicap at 100-30 for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.



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Minella Cocooner grabs Sandown Gold for Mullins team

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Seven days on from winning the Scottish National in a photo finish, Willie and Danny Mullins repeated the trick as Minella Cocooner was delivered right on the line to catch long-time leader Annual Invictus in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

Mullins had been confirmed as champion trainer just 30 minutes earlier when El Fabiolo finished second in the Celebration Chase, so it was perhaps inevitable that he would claim the last feature handicap of the jumps season.

Despite dominating at Cheltenham once more, it was not until the victory of I Am Maximus in the Grand National at Aintree that the title became a possibility and Macdermott’s win at Ayr last week put Mullins within touching distance.

With the pressure off, Danny Mullins crept into contention on the 17-2 chance but Annual Invictus did not give up without a fight.

Two from home there were still plenty in with chances, but it only concerned Minella Cocooner and Annual Invictus at the last and it was the Mullins’ runner who came out on top in a tight finish.

The runner-up lost very little in defeat for Chris Gordon, with Mullins’ Nick Rockett and Paul Townend back in third.

“For my nephew Danny to ride, it was special, especially after what he did last week in Ayr,” said Mullins.

“He gave the horse a tremendous ride, he was doing the right thing going down the back, got him balanced and travelling and got two tremendous jumps over the last two fences.

“Danny is our super-sub, he has been fantastic for us all season so congratulations to Danny and to my owners too for letting me come here rather than Punchestown.”

Danny Mullins said: “Plans pretty much went out the window. We were in a grand position at the start but he’d been quite keen in some of his early races and I’d made the running on him in some of his races as a novice hurdler, so at the standing start I couldn’t rush him early and I was out of the picture.

“Thankfully Willie wouldn’t have been able to see me there to give out, but he always instils in us to keep riding to win even if plans change, just adjust and ride to the best of our ability, and it came together nicely in the end.

“I’m just a small part in Willie’s success but I’m delighted to be there. There’s a fantastic team at home all through the year, from scouts to owners to staff. I’m lucky enough to get the leg up when Paul (Townend) is elsewhere or when there’s a couple of runners, it’s just fantastic to be a part of it.

“That’ll do nicely. I’m always trying to put myself in a position to be a big-race jockey and I’ve been very lucky for a number of years to be riding regular Grade One winners. You have to keep the hard work going so you can dine at the top table, and thankfully it’s worked out again today.”



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Mullins confident Temps holds strong Arkle claims

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Danny Mullins is relishing the prospect of being reunited with Il Etait Temps in the My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.

Together the pair have struck Grade One gold at each of the last two Dublin Racing Festivals, most recently digging deep to land the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last month.

With stable jockey Paul Townend siding with Gaelic Warrior, who beat Il Etait Temps comprehensively at Limerick over the Christmas period, Danny Mullins keeps the ride on the grey and is optimistic he will put up another good show as he looks to complete the same double achieved by El Fabiolo 12 months ago.

“I was expecting that Paul might have wanted to ride him, given that he was favourite all week, but I suppose Gaelic Warrior has been very good at times and has had his own mind at other times,” he said.

“I’m delighted to be on my fella, I think any one of four can win the race and I’m definitely one of the four.

“He ran to a solid Grade One level over hurdles but he seems to have been a deserving Grade One winner over fences this season, whereas he was maybe fortunate to win one over hurdles.

“For a small horse, he shows serious scope and it’ll be tested to the limit going into the Arkle.”

Il Etait Temps carries the colours of the Hollywood Syndicate and Barnane Stud, with the latter owned by the family of former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter, who said: “He’s not the most elegant, but he certainly has a lot of fight and courage and character for a small horse.

“His style of racing and jumping is probably not the most attractive but he’s got the job done for us twice now in Grade Ones and has placed form in some big races since he came into the yard for Willie. They obviously think very highly of him at Closutton.”

Gaelic Warrior looks to bounce back to form
Gaelic Warrior looks to bounce back to form (PA)

Gaelic Warrior, who has been second at the Cheltenham Festival for the past two years, failed to fire at the Dublin Racing Festival, unseating Townend at the final fence when well beaten by stablemate Fact To File.

Mullins has a third string to his bow in the form of Hunters Yarn, while Irish Arkle runner-up Found A Fifty (Gordon Elliott), 2021 Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios (Henry de Bromhead) and My Mate Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell) add further strength in depth to the Irish contingent.

One of the chief hopes for the home team is JPR One, who looked the likely winner of the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham in November before tipping up at the final fence, since when he has finished third in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown before landing a Grade Two at Lingfield.

Joe Tizzard said: “He was unlucky early doors at Cheltenham and he’s only put in the one bad run at Sandown on heavy ground in the Henry VIII. Other than that, he’s been very good.

“I think he will need to improve again, but he is where I want him at home and if we have a clear round, I think he won’t be too far away. I hold the horse in high regard and a bit of drying ground wouldn’t do him any harm either.

“It’s unfortunate Marine Nationale won’t be there, but I watched the Dublin Racing Festival and it looks a wide-open race.”

Gary Moore’s Authorised Speed and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained pair of Master Chewy and Matata complete the field.

“They both have good form this season, so hopefully they will run well,” said Twiston-Davies.

“I think they have quite a good chance and I think they are as good as any of the British. Matata has that nice course form from New Year’s Day, it was a good run.”



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Team Mullins know how to celebrate Festival success

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If your name is Mullins, you must look forward to the Cheltenham Festival like an excited child counting down the sleeps before Christmas morning.

The presents under the tree come in the form of equine superstars, which will not be delivered by Santa Claus but by the most successful trainer in Festival history.

Patrick and Danny Mullins, son and nephew of the all-conquering Willie, were among those good enough to give up their time and speak to the travelling media at The Lord Bagenal in County Carlow, a place of legendary status due to it being the family’s local, where parties start early and finish late.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo outside The Lord Bagenal Inn
Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo outside The Lord Bagenal Inn (Niall Carson/PA)

Patrick said: “The Lord Bagenal is where we’ve always come. I had my 21st here and I imagine we’ll all get married and buried here!

“At my 21st, one fellow fell asleep in the bath two stories up and it dripped down and flooded about three rooms, so he had to pay for that – other than that, it’s just been the usual shenanigans.

“We have our Christmas parties here and it used to be a case of myself and Paul Townend would go straight from here to work, but now we’re out by midnight! Then, I think as you get older, you start staying later again, you can definitely see the passage of time there.

“Willie enjoys bringing people here and drinking them under the table, he has a lot of practice at that!”

Unlike Patrick, Danny is teetotal, but that has not stopped him enjoying a night out at the Bagenal.

He said: “There’s plenty of stories – if the walls could talk! There’s been a few good nights and it’s a good spot for a Mullins party.

“Everyone from near and far, if they’re coming for a day out in Willie’s or Red Mills day or Thyestes day in Gowran, the stopping point is always the Bagenal after that.

“Willie has got plenty of miles on the clock, but he’s still got a good engine!”

Record-breaking amateur Patrick arrived casually dressed in hoodie and jeans, while his younger cousin was suited and booted and sporting a head of hair some of us could only dream of.

Patrick Mullins is looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival
Patrick Mullins is looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

The pair’s very public but brief fallout at Limerick in late December appears to be all but forgotten, although Patrick did joke when trading places with Danny on the allocated interview sofa that we were now getting the ‘cut price version’.

Patrick is a major cog in the Mullins machine these days, not only in a riding capacity but also in an assistant trainer role.

He is fully aware that expectations on the team have never been higher after a clean sweep in the eight Grade Ones at the Dublin Racing Festival, and he believes there is every chance his father will get the six winners he needs to reach a remarkable century of Cheltenham Festival winners next month.

“It’s funny, as expectations for us are different to everyone else, which is great,” he said.

“If you get the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup, it’s probably a good result, but if you come home with any less than five winners, you’ll probably be disappointed.

“I’ll never forget the year we had no winner on the Tuesday and no winner on the Wednesday and Douvan got injured. We were sat there on the Wednesday night thinking ‘what’s going on, we’re doing nothing different’, and you’re always worried one year they’re going to blowout.

“With the quantity and quality of the team we bring over, I don’t think six winners would be a funny thing to say.

“To get to 100 Festival winners is not even a dream, it’s not something that ever was possible. Cheltenham is different to what it was when it was three days, so this is a new era, but even with that, it’s one of those things that’s so outlandish it doesn’t feel real.”

One of the features of the new era has been the birth of training partnerships, particularly in Britain, between fathers and sons.

Willie and Patrick Mullins
Willie and Patrick Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

However, when one journalist began raising the possibility of a joint licence being applied for at Closutton, the question had not even been completed when Mullins junior intervened.

He said: “Not a chance – not for diamonds! It works very well as it is, but working with families is a tricky thing.

“Myself and Willie have our own way of working together, but Willie likes calling the shots, so I don’t think that he’d be giving away any power.”

Danny Mullins could hardly be flying higher ahead of his return to the Cotswolds after an opening-day Grade One treble at the Dublin Racing Festival.

None of the trio were the yard’s first string and he will once again be feeding off stable jockey Paul Townend’s scraps at Prestbury Park, but it is a good position to be in nonetheless.

Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins celebrate the Irish Arkle success of Il Etait Temps at the Dublin Racing Festival
Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins celebrate the Irish Arkle success of Il Etait Temps at the Dublin Racing Festival (Damien Eagers/PA)

“Knowing where I come from and the team that we’re with, things are definitely going to change. Paul will have his pick again,” he said.

“The Dublin Racing Festival has been very good for me. I suppose the novices are tricky at that time of the season for Paul to get a true read on and come Cheltenham, he normally doesn’t get it wrong, but hopefully we’ll find a way of making him get it wrong at some point!

“The whole team is just so strong and Willie is building year on year. All owners and jockeys know what can happen, Willie does his best with everything, they go to war and the best one comes out on top.

“I won’t know until Paul’s had his pick and Willie sees who he wants to put on the rest of them. Anything can happen, all of Willie’s are going there to do their best and fingers crossed Paul might get it wrong somewhere and I might be the beneficiary of that.”

The Mullins cousins might have contrasting fashion sense, but what they do share is a fervent hunger for more Festival success.

It would be a brave man who bets against one or even both getting to walk into the sport’s most famous winner’s enclosure next week.



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Il Etait Temps takes Irish Arkle, as Marine Nationale disappoints

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It Etait Temps completed a dream hour for Danny Mullins when winning the Goffs Irish Arkle at Leopardstown, where Marine Nationale was a huge disappointment back in fifth place.

Having already won the opening two Grade Ones on Dancing City and Kargese, Mullins was riding full of confidence, but faced huge opposition in the shape of Barry Connell’s unbeaten Marine Nationale – not to mention Facile Vega, a stablemate of the Willie Mullins-trained winner.

It was Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty who ensured there was to be no hanging about and with Facile Vega on his heels, there was no letting up in the pace.

Sent off the 4-7 favourite, Marine Nationale had been settled in third, but his jumping was not as assured as on his debut and Il Etait Temps moved passed him down the back straight.

As the field turned in Marine Nationale briefly threatened to take a hand, but a bad mistake at the last sealed his fate.

Found A Fifty looked like he had done enough to hold on, but Il Etait Temps gamely dug in to win by a neck at 6-1.

The winner is now 5-1 from 14s for the Arkle at Cheltenham with Coral.

Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins celebrate winning the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase with Il Etait Temps
Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins celebrate winning the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase with Il Etait Temps (Damien Eagers/PA)

“Danny is just on fire today,” said Mullins.

“This horse is improving, his jumping is improving and he’s settling as well. He didn’t have much respect for hurdles, but he has far more respect for fences and that’s bringing out improvement in him.

“It just shows you that chasers come in all shapes and sizes, he’s not the biggest horse in the world. He’s obviously very effective over this trip and we’ll look forward to the Arkle in Cheltenham.

“He showed plenty of resolution and Danny just timed his run well.

“Facile Vega will probably stay at that trip as well. I was very happy with him, even though he got beaten. I saw a lot in the race to say that he’s coming along and improving as well.”

Il Etait Temps had plenty of ground to make up on Found A Fifty after the last
Il Etait Temps had plenty of ground to make up on Found A Fifty after the last (Damien Eagers/PA)

The jubilant winning rider said: “I think my mum cooked me eggs for breakfast and I’ll definitely be back tomorrow!

“That was a good performance, on known form I thought I’d be in the mix but he’s definitely improving.

“I don’t think the others bombed out, they ran their races and he was just better than them.”

Marine Nationale tasted the first defeat of his career
Marine Nationale tasted the first defeat of his career (Niall Carson/PA)

Jockey Michael O’Sullivan could offer no excuses for the beaten odds-on favourite and said: “He travelled very well, I followed Facile Vega and was where I wanted to be.

“He settled, travelled, jumped and did everything right but after the second-last he didn’t get into gear like he normally does.

“He made a mistake at the last, but I was easing off him by then. No excuses.

“He was a small bit careful over the fourth-last, but other than that I couldn’t put if forward as an excuse. I hope something will show up as he’s better than that. It’s just disappointing.”

On Found A Fifty, Elliott said: “I was gutted, but the horse and jockey didn’t do anything wrong. The horse ran a great race and just got touched off. He’s a good horse and he’ll go to Cheltenham with a chance.

“We knew it was going to be a tough couple of days and said if we could pull a winner out of each day we’d be happy.

“The horses are running well and we’ve a lot of nice horses at home.

“We might lose the battle over these couple of days, but we won’t lose the war. Cheltenham is only around the corner and we’re looking forward to it.”



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Kargese claims victory in Spring Juvenile Hurdle

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Kargese came out on top of the Willie Mullins battalion in the McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, with the trainer sending out the first four home.

Six of the 10 runners hailed from Mullins’ Closutton yard, with stable number one Paul Townend plumping for the once-raced Storm Heart.

Another from Team Mullins was JP McManus’ Majborough and he attempted to make all under Mark Walsh, looking a fine long-term prospect in the process, but turning into the straight, the race began to change complexion.

Townend tried to follow Kargese (7-2) through but it soon became apparent that Danny Mullins was holding on to a lot more on the eventual winner.

Just like 12 months ago, when Mullins on Gala Marceau got the better of Townend on Lossiemouth, it was the same sinking feeling for the champion jockey, especially as he had also got the choice wrong in the opener, as he watched Mullins on Dancing City pull away from him.

Kargese runs in the famous Honeysuckle silks, like Gala Marceau, and owner Kenny Alexander has another nice filly for the future, as she won by a length and a quarter from Storm Heart, with Majborough another half a length back in third and Bunting a close fourth.

She was cut to 8-1 from 25s by Coral for the Triumph Hurdle, for which Sir Gino is favourite.

“She was too keen with Danny at Christmas,” said Mullins.

Kargese with Kenny Alexander (left) and Willie Mullins
Kargese with Kenny Alexander (left) and Willie Mullins (right)

“The plan today was to make the running and it just shows you that we don’t even know what we’re doing at this stage!

“Next thing, Mark (Walsh) jumped out and made the running, his horse was galloping and Danny settled the filly in. She was much more settled today after blowing away the cobwebs at Christmas.

“Mark was very happy with Majborough and thinks he’ll improve for that run. He gallops and jumps and he’s more of a chaser to look at.

“Paul felt that Storm Heart probably got stuck in the ground and was a bit keen with him as well.

“I was delighted with the way Bunting stayed on from behind, he was doing his best work at the end and is improving as well.

“They all ran well today and have booked their tickets for the Triumph.

“It’s going to be hard to beat Nicky Henderson’s horse, Sir Gino. We have our work cut out with him.”



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Dancing City springs surprise in DRF opener

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The Dublin Racing Festival began as many expected with a Willie Mullins-trained winner, but not with the one most predicted, as complete outsider Dancing City beat favourite Predators Gold in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.

With Paul Townend plumping for Predators Gold from the four Mullins runners, punters took that as a clear hint he was seen as the number one contender, despite stepping up six furlongs in trip from his Christmas outing.

Townend settled the market leader at the rear, as Danny Mullins on Dancing City (16-1) set out to make the running at a sedate tempo, but Rachael Blackmore was having none of it and after half a mile Jetara was allowed to stride on.

Blackmore had a scary moment approaching the second last when she lost her left stirrup but was soon back on an even keel, although the Mullins pair loomed up on the turn for home.

Predators Gold had every chance on the outside but Dancing City kept on finding for pressure and went on to win by a length and a quarter. To Jetara’s credit, she stuck on gamely for third.

Danny Mullins celebrates winning the opener
Danny Mullins celebrates winning the opener (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It was great, I thought the extra trip would suit him,” said Mullins.

“Danny was good on him again, he always just pops up when you least think it!

“I thought Predators Gold might win the race, but Paul said he was doing a little too much throughout.

“That ground is a lot softer than we thought it would be. I think that suited Dancing City more.”

He went on: “The point-to-point experience he had let him settle more, he spat out the bit early on whereas Paul’s fella was too keen, we ran him over two miles at Christmas and that made him a little keen for this, going up in trip.

“I think he (the winner) looks ready made for the Albert Bartlett, he has the experience, he goes the trip and he’ll handle the ground. That’s where we hope he’ll go.

“It was a good performance, he’s improving and on the up. Predators Gold looks more like a Ballymore horse.

“I was disappointed with Loughglynn and I Will Be Baie just couldn’t handle the ground. Loughglynn didn’t jump early on and got worse as the race went on, that was a big disappointment.

“I’m here to find out as well, we think we know but If we did know we’d probably all be driving bigger cars!”

The winner was cut to 12-1 from 50s for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham by Betfair.



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Danny Mullins makes light of Limerick exchange

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Danny Mullins has played down his altercation with cousin Patrick Mullins following the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick on Thursday.

Patrick ultimately claimed a comfortable victory in the race on board his father Willie’s Gaelic Warrior, with Danny five and a half lengths back in second on stablemate Il Etait Temps.

However, the pair did come close when Danny attempted to sneak up the inner on the run to the second-last and Patrick appeared to react angrily to that incident as they pulled up after the finishing line.

The stewards looked into the episode but Danny later made light of the whole affair via his regular diary on the Tote Twitter site.

He joked: “The main question on everybody’s lips is what did Patrick say? I don’t fully recall what he did say, I think it was something along the lines of ‘Danny, get a haircut’, but I’m happy with my hair as it is at the moment.”

On a more serious note, Danny added: “It’s one of those things, I’m always going to ride to win the race and that’s what I have to do for my owners and we had a go and unfortunately I finished second – but we had a go and that was the main thing.”

Regarding the incident approaching the penultimate fence, Patrick Mullins earlier said: “I told Danny going out that there will be a gap on my inside going down to the second-last and ‘do not come for it’ but he hasn’t listened to me. Luckily it didn’t get the two of us beaten.”

Willie Mullins was at Leopardstown, where he told Racing TV with a wry smile: “I had my son and my nephew trying to kill each other going to the second-last. I don’t know what Patrick said to Danny, but I don’t imagine they’ll be going home in the same car anyhow!

“Danny was riding his horse and he had to try to go for Grade One glory on his horse. Anyhow, it will make fun for this evening when we are disseminating the whole thing.”

The stewards investigated the incident two out and took no action, but also inquired about Patrick Mullins’ post-race comments.

The report read: “The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr. P.W. Mullins, rider of Gaelic Warrior, and D.E. Mullins, rider of Il Etait Temps, regarding comments made to the media about an incident on the run to the second-last.

“Mr. P.W. Mullins stated that he had advised D.E. Mullins during a conversation prior to the race that he would be leaving a gap down the inner to get a breather into his horse and he advised him not to go for it.

“D.E. Mullins confirmed the conversation happened as such. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing Official.”



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Big Leopardstown handicap goes to Meetingofthewaters

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Meetingofthewaters provided his owner Paul Byrne with another big payday after scooting to victory in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.

With a total prize fund of €200,000 up for grabs, the three-mile contest is one of the most valuable handicap chases of the season in Ireland and once again attracted a bumper field of 27 runners.

Meetingofthewaters (6-1) was rated just 112 when snapped up by Patrick Mullins out of Eugene O’Sullivan’s yard earlier in the year – and while he was well beaten in his first two starts over fences in his colours and under the tutelage of his father Willie, he was a well-backed favourite when making it third time lucky in lesser company at Cork last month.

Having since been sold to a close friend of the Mullins family in Byrne, who has previously enjoyed big-race success with the likes of The Shunter, Corbetts Cross and Feronily, the six-year-old travelled smoothly into the straight under Danny Mullins and dug deep from the final fence to see off the rallying Panda Boy by four and a half lengths.

Meetingofthewaters with his delighted connections at Leopardstown
Meetingofthewaters with his delighted connections at Leopardstown (Alan Magee/PA)

Mullins said: “It’s a fantastic result for Paul Byrne. Patrick has a lot to do with (training) this fellow, but I think he was hoping he’d be a Kim Muir horse and that is gone out the window now!

“It’s great prize-money and a tremendous prize to win with a horse like that.

“Paul is great at seeing gaps in the market when buying horses. He’s able to spot horses rather than paying big money. He has an eye for a horse and is able to put a deal together. He probably looks for horses in places that other people don’t.

“He won nicely in Cork and was a young horse improving all the time. It’s a bit of a lottery when you go into a race like this but when you get in at those weights it’s always worth having a crack.”

Joystick and Patrick Mullins winning at Leopardstown
Joystick and Patrick Mullins winning at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Meetingofthewaters was one of three winners on the card for the champion trainer, with Mark Walsh steering Dinoblue (9-4) to Grade One success in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase and Joystick toughing out victory as the 11-8 favourite in the concluding bumper under Patrick Mullins.

Mullins, who enjoyed an across-the-card seven-timer on the day with four winners at Limerick, said of Joystick, he said: “He was third in a point-to-point and we went down to see him at the Doyles. He’s a nice staying type and a real chaser in the making.

“He’s a real long-striding, old-fashioned chaser and a nice acquisition. He’ll stick with bumpers this season.”

Intellotto made a successful start to his career over obstacles in the Paddy Power I Have No Idea What Day It Is 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Intellotto (left) challenges at Leopardstown
Intellotto (left) challenges at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Placed twice from three starts on the Flat for trainer Joseph O’Brien, the 10-1 shot travelled smoothly on his jumping bow and passed the post with four and a half lengths in hand under Daryl Jacob.

Paddy Power make Intellotto a 25-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

O’Brien said: “The ground was softer than we thought it was going to be but it was a lovely debut. Daryl taught him a lot and he jumped pretty well on the whole.

“I think the logical step would be to come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival.”

One Last Tango and Mark Walsh hit the front
One Last Tango and Mark Walsh hit the front (Niall Carson/PA)

The Eoin Griffin-trained One Last Tango (4-1) carried the JP McManus colours to victory in the Paddy Power Who Put The Wrappers Back In The Box Handicap Hurdle, completing a double on the card for the leading owner and jockey Mark Walsh following the earlier Grade One success of Dinoblue.

Griffin said: “He had a promising run on his return when finishing fourth at Navan and he’s come on a little bit from it.

“I was a bit concerned about the ground today, but he handled it well and it’s brilliant to get a winner here at Christmas for JP. It’s been a while since we had a Christmas winner and we’re over the moon.”



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Silent Approach causes big upset at Cork

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Silent Approach provided her trainer, owner and breeder Con O’Keeffe with the biggest success of his career as she registered a shock victory in the O’Flynn Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase at Cork.

Although a winner on her chasing debut at Galway last month, the five-year-old faced a huge rise in class for this Grade Two contest and was priced up accordingly at 33-1.

For much of the extended two-mile contest, things appeared to be going to script, with 6-5 favourite Harmonya Maker setting out to make all the running and provide jockey Jack Kennedy with a fourth successive victory on the card.

However, she hung left approaching the first fence on the second circuit and halfway down the back straight Silent Approach was given her head and allowed to stride on in front by Danny Mullins.

Silent Approach with connections at Cork
Silent Approach with connections at Cork (Thomas Weekes/PA)

To her credit, Harmonya Maker managed to stay in the fight until the approach to the final fence, after which Silent Approach stamped her authority and pulled three and a quarter lengths clear.

“It is a great win and I must dedicate it to my wife Claire, who lost her mother Peggy last week. She was always the first one to ring me after we won a race, so this is great for Claire and my family,” said O’Keeffe.

“We have been jumping hurdles all year, but the lads have been saying to jump fences and she is a fantastic jumper who is improving all the time. We were hopeful, as she was in great form and Danny gave her a fantastic ride.

“We have had the family for three generations and you could write what I know about training horses on a postage stamp, as breeding is our game. I’m delighted for Tadhg (O’Sullivan, co-owner), who has been with me with our horses from the beginning.”



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Gala Marceau provides Mullins with Auteuil glory

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Gala Marceau ran out a convincing winner of the Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil to give Willie Mullins a third win in the big four-year-old Grade One.

Mullins also ran Zarak The Brave in the race and the betting suggested he was the better fancied of the pair but having been settled in the rear by Paul Townend, he could only run on into third, ultimately beaten a long way.

Gala Marceau was ridden by Danny Mullins, as she has been all season which had already been fruitful.

She beat stablemate Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing second to that rival in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and third at Punchestown but with that one staying in Closutton this weekend, she was able to return to winning ways.

Losange Bleu, the favourite, set out to make all but Gala Marceau always looked to be travelling strongly and when she jumped upsides at the last the race was over in a matter of strides as she pulled seven lengths clear.

Mullins has previously won the race with Diakali in 2013 and Footpad three years later.

Ireland’s champion trainer had earlier been out of luck with Franco De Port and Carefully Selected in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris having also drawn a blank on Saturday.

Trainer Willie Mullins was winning the Prix Alain du Breil for the third time
Trainer Willie Mullins was winning the Prix Alain du Breil for the third time (Brian Lawless/PA)

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing Willie Mullins said: “A winner at last!

“We were getting worried but we had no excuses for any of the others, they just weren’t good enough on the day.

“This mare was a revelation. She has been improving all season. I said to Danny just get her settled and get her coming home. Once he got her settled he just kept counting down the furlongs and when she took over the race was over.

“It’s a big improvement for her and a notable scalp too because there was a lot of confidence behind the favourite so we’re very pleased. Zarak The Brave didn’t jump well enough in the first mile, he didn’t have the experience.

“We’ll be back and it’s nice to have one on the board.”

Danny Mullins said: “I’m lucky enough to be a small part of a very big team and to get another Grade One winner on the board is fantastic, this is the last really big weekend of the jumps season.

“The mare has been very good to me this season, she ran very well at Cheltenham and she showed how tough she was today.

“She jumped fantastic down the back which enabled me to save a bit for the home turn and she hit the line very strong, she wasn’t stopping.

“She has won a Grade One in Ireland, ran with a lot of credit at the big festivals and to come here and win, we’re delighted. Next season could be bright for her as well.

“It’s fantastic to win here. For me it’s all about winning the Grade Ones and to do that in Ireland, England, America and now here – I might try a few places further afield now, it’s all about enjoying it.”



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Instit floors stablemate Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse

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Instit turned over her much better-fancied Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Allegorie De Vassy to win the BoyleSports Mares Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

Allegorie De Vassy appeared to have the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways having been narrowly denied by Impervious at the Cheltenham Festival.

It would have been an easy decision for Paul Townend to choose her over Instit, given there was officially 20lb between them on ratings.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly for Townend as he tracked Instit (15-2) into the straight, but as has happened so many times in recent years, Danny Mullins had given his mount the perfect ride from the front.

Having taken over on the run to the last, Townend suddenly looked worried in front and Instit had just about regained the upper hand before Allegorie De Vassey made a jolting mistake and the race was over.

“She’s a mare that hadn’t fulfilled her potential over fences verses what I’d seen from her over hurdles,” said Danny Mullins.

“I was conscious not to set it up for Paul and save my own petrol in parts. The race mapped out perfectly for him and my filly still managed to come out on top.

“We went good even fractions for the first two miles and were able to get a breather in. A great jump at the third-last gave me a chance and of the two mistakes at the last mine was more minor which allowed me to land galloping a bit faster and got away to win nicely.

“The ground is pretty dead. We had a lot of rain over the past week but there is fantastic grass and the course is in good condition. A strong wind and a bit of sun today has left it sticky. Fairyhouse takes a good round of jumping and the best horse usually wins.”

There was a surprise victor in the Low.ie Best For Mortgage Protection & Life Insurance Hunters Chase as Annamix (18-1) won for the first time since November 2020.

Once an ante-post favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, it is fair to say Rich and Susannah Ricci’s grey has not lived up to expectations.

Even in the hunter chase sphere he has failed to hit the heights and he looked up against it adrift of odds-on favourite Ferns Lock and Mullins stablemate Billaway.

But Charlie Mullins refused to accept defeat and he powered away after the last to win by four and a half lengths. Ferns Lock faded very tamely into third.

“I knew they had gone pretty quick and I said I’d sit back,” said the winning rider.

“I felt he had a chance turning into the straight. When he passed one or two he took a hold with me again. I let him fly at the last and he kept picking up for me.

“He made a few bad mistakes and can take off from anywhere!”

Mark Walsh made the perfect comeback from his latest injury setback when winning the Tom Quinlan Electrical Maiden Hurdle on Peter Fahey’s Canal End (9-4).



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No time for complacency in burgeoning career of Danny Mullins

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Danny Mullins will not be resting on his laurels as he bids to build on the momentum of a memorable campaign on home soil by playing a major part at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although a nephew of the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history in Willie Mullins, the 30-year-old is well aware the family connection does not guarantee him rides for the sport’s dominant yard.

But through a combination of hard work and no little ability, Mullins has become a valuable cog in the Closutton machine and has already enjoyed his best ever-season in Ireland numbers-wise, having brought up his half-century at the Dublin Racing Festival.

It proved to be quite a weekend at Leopardstown for the rider as he also claimed a Grade One treble. But there is no chance of the teetotal jockey revelling in his success.

Danny Mullins after winning aboard Gala Marceau at the Dublin Racing Festival
Danny Mullins after winning aboard Gala Marceau at the Dublin Racing Festival (Donall Farmer/PA)

“I’m having a good season, but that is down to the good horses I’m riding. The people around me do all the hard work and I just have to point and get the job done on the day,” said the modest rider.

“I went to Leopardstown with 11 rides and picked up a spare, so I had 12 rides in the end, which is any jockey’s dream. To be able to convert some of them to winners makes it extra special.”

When put to him he was enjoying his best season, he added: “Numbers-wise maybe, but I’ve only ridden four Grade One winners and I rode five last year, so we’ll have to keep going at that!”

Mullins has enjoyed two previous victories at the Cheltenham Festival, with both wins coming aboard the Gavin Cromwell-trained Flooring Porter in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

The jockey rightly earned the plaudits after a masterful front-running ride two years ago, while Flooring Porter once again dominated from the front to successfully defend his crown – sparking scenes of wild celebration in the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure.

The eight-year-old has been beaten twice this season and suffered a post-Christmas setback, although he is reportedly on course for the Cotswolds and the hat-trick bid.

“Flooring Porter is a very good horse. Things happened as I expected on the day when he won in Cheltenham the first time, but you can’t do that without the horse,” he said.

“Fingers crossed, he’ll make it to Cheltenham. There is no better than Gavin Cromwell – when he has got the ammunition he is well able to hit the target. While I’m lucky to be part of Willie’s team, it’s fantastic to riding winners for Gavin as well as he is definitely an up-and-coming trainer in Ireland.

“Home By The Lee has pitched himself into the Stayers’ Hurdle picture this year and Teahupoo has been very good in what he’s achieved so far, but that is what Cheltenham is about – the best horses taking each other on in a proper championship race.”

The jockey’s three top-level successes at the Dublin Racing Festival came aboard Gala Marceau, Gentleman De Mee and Il Etait Temps, all of whom were down the Mullins pecking order going into their respective races but all of whom the rider would love to be reunited with at Cheltenham.

Gala Marceau in action at Leopardstown
Gala Marceau in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Gala Marceau reversed Christmas form with stablemate Lossiemouth in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle – and while the latter was widely considered an unlucky loser after encountering trouble in running, Mullins feels it would be dangerous to dismiss his mount should they meet again in the Triumph Hurdle.

He said: “Gala Marceau was very good. She travelled behind Lossiemouth at Christmas and Lossiemouth was an impressive winner that day, but who knows what would have happened the last day if Paul (Townend) had got a clean run through? My horse wasn’t stopping at the line and Paul never got onto my tail.

“I’d be happy to take her on again. We won this battle but the war is still on.”

Mullins was the beneficiary of an injury suffered by Mark Walsh when getting a late call-up to partner Gentleman De Mee, who upset odds-on stablemate in Blue Lord in Leopardstown’s Dublin Chase and is now very much in the picture for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

“The Champion Chase has opened up in recent weeks and the way he jumped down the back straight in Leopardstown was fantastic – it was back to what he’d shown when he beat Edwardstone in Aintree last year,” Mullins added.

“This year he’d run too bad to be true, so it would be easy to write off those runs and in Leopardstown he was back to himself. Maybe he’s a horse that performs better later on the year and into the spring.”

Mullins’ third and final DRF winner came on Il Etait Temps, who profited from the demise of another high-profile stablemate in Facile Vega. The pair could clash again in the curtain-raising Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Mullins said: “He gave Facile Vega a fright at Christmas and it was probably a race that didn’t work out for my horse. I tried to make the running and missed the first and followed Paul then.

“The last day it was a truly-run race and I think there was no fluke about the manner of his victory. Obviously Facile didn’t really turn up, but even if he had turned up my horse wasn’t stopping hitting the line and I think he’ll be able to give him a run for it in Cheltenham.”

Whether the rider will get the opportunity to ride the above trio again remains to be seen, with his uncle famed for leaving it late before finalising running and jockey plans.

Mullins, though, is content to wait, safe in the knowledge that supposed second and even third strings from Closutton are capable of making an impact on the biggest of stages.

He said: “I think our jockeys here close at 12pm and at 11.55am before the Dublin Racing Festival there were still a few blanks in a couple of races! My agent was ringing me and asking me if I had heard anything and I said ‘no, we just do the usual – we sit, we wait and we see!’.

“With Willie, if I didn’t ride well next week I wouldn’t get the rides the week after, so you need to be on your game all the time, which has pushed me to be a better rider every season.

“Every year I go back and try to find out where I can improve. There’s plenty of other young lads who are trying to find that improvement themselves, so it’s no time to be sitting back and relaxing – you have to keep going forward.”

It is clear Mullins will not be taking anything for granted, but he is ready to seize every opportunity he is given with both hands.

He added: “At the Dublin Racing Festival I got a spare ride and won a Grade One and in the next race I was laid on the flat of my back, but that’s horse racing – you take the good with the bad.

“Cheltenham is Cheltenham. It’s probably the week of the year where us in horse racing get to hit the mainstream media and get recognised outside of our sport.

“It’s very important day in, day out to be performing well, but Cheltenham is the place where it hits the headlines in all of the papers and everybody is talking about it.”



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