Tag Archive for: Emmet Mullins

Gold Cup hope Corbetts Cross considered in ‘good position’

Emmet Mullins believes Corbetts Cross is coming to the boil at just the right time as he prepares to bid for glory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.

The JP McManus-owned gelding looked every inch a Gold Cup horse in the making when running out a 17-length winner of the National Hunt Chase at last year’s Festival, but his first campaign in open company has not gone entirely to plan.

Following a comeback second to Heart Wood at Wexford, Corbetts Cross missed a planned trip to Haydock for the Betfair Chase in November and belatedly crossed the Irish Sea for a tilt at the King George VI Chase, but was well beaten in sixth place.

Mullins is adamant his stable star is better than he showed in Kempton’s Boxing Day highlight and with the big day less than five weeks away, he is much happier with his condition.

Corbetts Cross on his way to winning the National Hunt Chase
Corbetts Cross on his way to winning the National Hunt Chase (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

“I think we’re in a good position now. We didn’t really get a clear run of things; he wasn’t right for the Betfair Chase, and we kind of stumbled our way on to the King George,” said the trainer.

“He was just flat in Kempton, he was never going and never travelled. You could put that down to inexperience or the big occasion, but I don’t think the horse was right when he didn’t finish off his race, as we know he’s got a high cruising speed and he can stay.

“I suppose we just put a line through it when he didn’t pick up in the home straight.

“I’ve had a few clean weeks, there’s plenty of work gone into him now and I’m very happy – I think we’re nearly there, which is just what I wanted, and it’s only a bit of maintenance now and keeping him ticking over, I think.”

Corbetts Cross is a best priced 14-1 for the Gold Cup with bet365, who make Galopin Des Champs their 1-2 favourite to claim victory for the third time.

Mullins is better placed than most to assess the chances of the reigning champion, given he is trained by his uncle and neighbour Willie, and he is well aware of the task his charge faces.

He added: “I think the only way to beat Galopin Des Champs is to somehow get him to make a mistake at the last and you’re challenging and just try and nick a few lengths on him.

“You’re not going to challenge him off the home bend and outstay him up the hill, so you need a bit of luck and try and catch him asleep, let someone else have a go and hopefully he’s in a bit of a lull, something along those lines. The last man to go for his whip usually wins.

“If we can get our horse to peak again in Cheltenham, I’m not saying we’ll beat Galopin Des Champs, but we should be in the placings.”

Corbetts Cross will be part of a small but select Emmet Mullins team at this year’s Festival, with confidence high that Its On The Line can settle some “unfinished business” in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase, having finished second in the last two renewals.

Randox Grand National 2024 – Opening Day – Aintree Racecourse
Its On The Line ridden by jockey Derek O’Connor winning at Aintree (David Davies/The Jockey Club/PA).

“We’ll have Corbetts Cross and Its On The Line on the Friday and the two handicap winners from the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown (Vischio and McLaurey) will both get entries in all the handicaps and we’ll see what the ground is like closer to the time,” said Mullins.

“Its On The Line won in Aintree and in Punchestown last year after Cheltenham. He’s an extremely tough horse and an extremely frustrating horse sometimes as well.

“He doesn’t travel in his races and doesn’t make it easy for his jockey, but there’s definitely unfinished business at Cheltenham, having been second for the last two years.

“It’s a race that should suit him, he just hasn’t converted yet. All being well, he should be my best chance for the week, I think.”

Although widely regarded as one of the shrewdest young trainers in the business, Mullins is keen to focus on quality rather than quantity.

He went on: “We’d all love to be going on to them better horses, but the price of them is astronomical at the moment. I’ve been lucky enough to pick and find a few from the point-to-point field, like Corbetts Cross, that have gone on to the top table, but it’s very hard to get in on these horses.

“You have to find out what you’ve got at home, plan a route out and dream as much as you can, I suppose. They won’t all be as good as you think, but dream with plenty of foresight.

“This year, we got another 12 stables, so I’m up to 41 or 42 now. It’s been a tricky enough year, I think we’ve only had 10 winners and 21 seconds. They’re all running well and I’d say the place percentages are good and high, it’s just frustrating when you’re in the placings all the time.

“I don’t plan on ever having 200-plus horses like Willie or Gordon, but I think if you can step up slowly and know you can manage what you have, that’s the way to go.

“I don’t want to go boom to bust, take on 100 stables and be looking at 30 or 40 extra boxes in two years’ time, so we’re just stepping up gradually.”



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Corbetts Cross camp keeping Gold Cup prep options open

Emmet Mullins has yet to decide whether to give Corbetts Cross another prep run ahead of a planned tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Fresh from a double on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, Mullins is targeting further big-race honours in the Cotswolds next month, including a shot at the biggest race of them all.

Corbetts Cross is already a winner at the showpiece meeting having dominated his rivals in last season’s National Hunt Chase, after which he rounded off his campaign by finishing third behind Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl.

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old kicked off the new season with a comeback second behind Heart Wood at Wexford and was last seen finishing sixth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He has not been involved in competitive action since, but Mullins has issued an upbeat report on his current well-being.

“He’s great. I’m still not sure if I’m going to give him a run beforehand, but we’ve still got a week or two (to decide),” he said.

“I’m happy where I am now.”

Corbetts Cross is a 16-1 shot in Paddy Power’s non-runner no bet market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Galopin Des Champs the 4-7 favourite to claim the blue riband for a third time off the back of another imperious display in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.



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Vischio records special success for Emmet and Danny Mullins

Family was to the fore as Vischio triumphed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle, the opening event on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by his cousin Danny, the pair are grandchildren of the race’s namesakes, who counted Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup winner Dawn Run among the stable stars when training and have spawned an Irish racing dynasty.

Their multiple champion trainer son Willie had a live chance in Straight Home this time around, but it was the younger Mullins generation who prevailed as Vischio made a late dash for the line after the final hurdle.

Making her debut for the yard, Vischio (8-1) shot clear of the field to win by five lengths from Kimy, with Qualimita back in third. British raider Queens Gamble could finish only sixth.

Vischio was bought for €52,000 in November and Emmet Mullins felt the purchase was a brave decision.

Danny Mullins after his winning ride on Vischio
Danny Mullins after his winning ride on Vischio (Evan Treacy/PA)

He said: “Danny and Jack (Cantillon) were talking at the sales back in October. She came advised from Danny, Jack was plucky to put his hand (up) and this race has been the plan since then.

“Once or twice I wasn’t sure where I had her, but luckily she just came right in the last week or two and she’s not a mare that takes a whole lot of work. It’s panned out in our favour for a change.

“If there was an early-season Pattern race on the Flat with cut in the ground, she’ll probably take her chance.”

Maureen Mullins died aged 94 last February and her grandson also managed to send out the winner of a race named in her honour at the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: “It’s been a special 12 months winning granny’s race, the National Hunt Chase, at the Cheltenham Festival as well.”

Emmet Mullins secured a second winner on the day as McLaurey justified 3-1 favouritism in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by Mark Walsh, McLaurey hit the front with the post in sight and had to stay on all the way to the line as Storm Heart and Irish Panther were finishing fast.

Mullins said: “I was sure I had an improving horse coming here today. He’s definitely improved every run.

“He’s mentally not there yet, although Mark said today was the first time he ever travelled in a race.

“First time running in a big handicap here, the few non-runners played to our strengths and the slow ground over two miles. I think he’s a horse that can stretch out in trip over time.

“I think there is a big engine in there and we are only scratching at the surface. He’s still a big baby.

“I didn’t think two miles might be his cup of tea first time in a handicap, but it was a €150,000 pot and he had the mark to get in here.

“I was keen for him to run, and he’d learn if it didn’t happen for him today. It’s just great that it has, and he’s a horse going the right way.”

Backtonormal (11-4 favourite) was delivered with a perfectly-timed challenge to win the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge had failed to win in any of his three previous runs over fences but with 5lb claimer Conor Stone-Walsh in the saddle, there was plenty of confidence behind him.

Sequestered made a good race on it after the last, with the pair racing apart from each other, but Backtonormal held a three-and-a-quarter-length advantage at the line, with Monbeg Park a further neck back in third after a late spurt.

Cromwell said: “The step up in trip and niceish ground suited and Conor was very good on him. He’s a good rider.

“His work lately has been good. We thought he’d run a big race, and he duly did.

“I wouldn’t rule out going for the two-and-a-half-mile novice handicap at Cheltenham.”



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Noble Yeats getting plenty of ‘TLC’ but racing future very much up in the air

Robert Waley-Cohen has not given up hope of Noble Yeats being seen again on a racecourse, but admits it may prove a tough ask to return the Grand National hero to the form of past glories.

The 10-year-old has enjoyed a stellar career masterminded by Emmet Mullins in Ireland, winning seven of his 24 starts and landing graded events over both hurdles and fences.

He was fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023, but the obvious highlight came when storming to Aintree success in 2022, not only providing the owner’s son Sam Waley-Cohen with a fairytale ending to his own decorated career in the saddle, but also becoming the first seven-year-old National winner since 1940.

He has returned to Liverpool to tackle the famous spruce for the past two seasons, finishing fourth two years ago, but after being pulled up on his seasonal return at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, a fourth crack at he National is off the cards and he is now back at his owner’s Warwickshire farm receiving some “TLC” in a bid to rediscover the spark that once made him such a standout performer for connections.

Waley-Cohen said: “He’s come back to us and he’s very sore in his back and very uncomfortable at the moment, so we’re just trying to get him back in good order again. He won’t be going for the National this year.

“He’s getting TLC from my first-class lady at home who will do it better than anyone and will ensure he gets every attention he could possibly hope for.

“It’s unknown if he will return at this stage and he’s not in the kind of health or condition where you would want to run him again at present.

“I think it’s going to be a challenge to get him back, but we might well do so – I wouldn’t want to commit either way just yet and we’re doing our level best, I’m just unsure if we will succeed.”

The Noble Yeats team celebrating his Grand National triumph in 2022
The Noble Yeats team celebrating his Grand National triumph in 2022 (Brian Lawless/PA)

If Noble Yeats is to have run his final race, then Waley-Cohen can take comfort from the many great days he has enjoyed while owning the son of Yeats, which as well as that historic National triumph, include a win in the Cleeve Hurdle and success in the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase.

He would also join esteemed company in retirement, enjoying life alongside Waley-Cohen’s Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Long Run, among others.

Waley-Cohen continued: “He’s alive and well but not quite well enough and we need to sort that out. If we can achieve that then he will be back racing, but if we can’t then he will have a quieter life here at home.

“He’s been an absolute star for us and out in the field currently we have Long Run, Oscar Time and Liberthine, so if he was to retire he would be able to be quietly ridden around the farm.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Grand National
Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Grand National (David Davies/PA)

“It would be a very impressive photograph of him and Long Run and there is no one else in England who can boast of having a Gold Cup and Grand National winner in their field.

“There are only seven people to do that as an owner and none of them have had their son on board. JP McManus and Michael O’Leary and I have done it, but the other four people I’m afraid have sadly been gathered.

“He’s been a wonderful horse for us and not only has he won the National but he also won a Listed chase at Wexford and a Grade Two chase at Liverpool. Then he came back and won the Cleeve Hurdle only 12 months ago and not many National Hunt horses do that.”



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Emmet Mullins concerned over lack of watering at Kempton for Corbetts Cross

Emmet Mullins has warned that Corbetts Cross may not run in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase if the ground continues to dry out.

Any forecast rain is likely to be minimal and unlikely to have any lasting effect on the ground at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The ground was described as good, good to soft in places on Monday – and should it dry out any further, Mullins may be forced to think twice about running his JP McManus-owned Cheltenham Festival winner.

“I’m very excited, he’ll be a first runner in the King George for me, so it will be a big day,” said Mullins, speaking on a press call organised by the Jockey Club.

“With Mr McManus having Fact To File for the Leopardstown race, I think he just wanted to cover his options and spread them out a bit (over Christmas).

“I thought his first run was satisfactory, the same horse (Heart Wood) beat him on his comeback last year as well. We’ve had a good enough prep and we’re nearly there now.”

Emmet Mullins (right) with Corbetts Cross after his Cheltenham win
Emmet Mullins (right) with Corbetts Cross after his Cheltenham win (David Davies/PA)

However, when asked if the possibility of good ground was a concern, Mullins said: “Very much so. With these 17 hands chasers, you don’t want them running on good ground.

“At the Cheltenham Festival, everyone seems on board with getting it started on good to soft ground. I’d be very worried about good ground. Especially given the facilities there with the lake, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of any watering.

“There’s a chance he might not run, we have a championship chaser and they are not designed to run on good ground.

“Good to soft would be OK but it’s tightening up already and I see there’s no rain in the forecast for the next few days, so that will be a worry and I think it’s going the opposite way.”

Reflecting on his season to date, Mullins said: “He wasn’t fully wound up at Wexford but it was great to get that run under his belt.

“We had been thinking of the Betfair Chase but to go into a championship race, you need to be 100 per cent and even with the Wexford run, it hadn’t brought us on enough, so the extra few weeks helped and I think we’re nearly there now.

“My long-term aim with him is the Gold Cup and that will be the day he’ll be 100 per cent, hopefully.”

Clerk of the course Barney Clifford confirmed there are no plans to do any watering.

Packed stands on King George day at Kempton
Packed stands on King George day at Kempton (Steven Paston/PA)

“It’s lovely ground really. Good, good to soft in places and there’s a drop of rain due to come through tonight.

“The going stick, which is consistent at Kempton, indicates a mixture of good and good to soft, so a drop of rain tonight would be lovely, but I think we’re set for a top-class going description for the King George.

“I think there’s a band coming tonight, which is minimal, only a couple of millimetres, then it will be bright, sunny and mild. I don’t think we’ll be far away from a good ground King George.

“Good ground is fine, I guess one or two would maybe like conditions a little bit easier, but I think because the way the forecast has been, I haven’t been able to change anything, so I won’t be irrigating to make it any slower than what it currently is.

“There’s plenty of moisture underneath. If you go back to November 28, we had an inch of rain in about half an hour and it was under water. It’s been steadily drying out, we’ve had 6.5mm this week, so I’m very happy.

“This is my 25th King George, my 24th in charge and I’d say this is probably the most competitive race I’ve seen, looking at it.”



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Mullins planning Christmas return for Noble Yeats

Noble Yeats is on course for a Christmas reappearance, as Emmet Mullins once again has his sights set on Aintree for his Grand National hero.

The nine-year-old campaigned exclusively over hurdles prior to the Grand National last season, returning at Limerick over the Christmas period before winning the Cleeve Hurdle and going on to run in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

A fourth shot at the Liverpool showpiece is the ultimate aim for the season and there is a possibility he could follow a similar path this term, with Leopardstown’s Grade One Christmas Hurdle just one of the options mentioned by Mullins as a possible starting point for his long-time stable star.

Mullins said: “He’s back in full work and we have no immediate plans, but I’m sure he will be out over Christmas.

“There are a couple of options. He could go to the three-mile Grade One over hurdles at Leopardstown at Christmas, or he could take in a chase race, there’s a couple of conditions chases around at that time.

“I know he was beat last year at Christmas over hurdles, but it seemed to work well enough and we’ll be hopefully going back to Aintree for another crack at the Grand National.

“It’s horses for courses and he’s been round there three times in the National, won one and completed all three times – so with a bit of luck on his side, hopefully he can do it again.”



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Emmet Mullins has eyes on more Cesarewitch gold

Emmet Mullins is set to launch a two-pronged assault at Newmarket on Saturday when he hopes to get his hands on the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch trophy for the second year running.

The Grand National-winning handler saddled stable stalwart The Shunter to plunder the prestigious handicap 12 months ago and joining the defending champion on the Rowley Mile is relative yard newcomer Jacovec Cavern, who caught the eye at Galway when second on his stable bow.

Owned by the Turner family, this race has always been high-up on the five-year-old’s list of priorities and he will have the assistance of Hayley Turner when he forms part of Mullins’ raiding party at the weekend.

Jacovec Cavern in action over hurdles at Cheltenham
Jacovec Cavern in action over hurdles at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)

Mullins: “It was a great day last year. I thought Jacovec Cavern made a good first start for us at Galway and hopefully we can eke out a bit more improvement.

“He stayed two miles well at Galway, but this is a higher class of race and even more of a stamina test, so for such a strong traveller that could be a slight worry. Hopefully he can overcome it.

“To be fair to the Turners, when they sent him to me this was always the first aim, so fingers crossed it is now upon us and we can go there with no hiccups.

“It’s great to have Hayley on board, she has such great experience riding there and hopefully he can do the business.”

The Shunter winning the Cesarewitch last year
The Shunter winning the Cesarewitch last year (Nigel French/PA)

The Shunter has been seen on many occasions during his long and distinguished career, but has been conspicuous by his absence since claiming this prize last year – running just once over hurdles since.

Fast ground has frustratingly seen the 11-year-old sat on the sidelines while the Chester Cup and Royal Ascot took place, but with some autumnal cushion set to greet him at Headquarters, Mullins is optimistic of another bold showing.

“The Shunter has never let us down,” he continued.

“It’s been a tricky campaign for him, he’s been on the go most of the year, the ground has just been too fast for him – at Chester it was good to firm and we had to pull him out and it was the same at Royal Ascot.

“He got a bit of a mid-season break without having a run, but has come back again and is in good old order. Fingers crossed he comes home safe and sound, but I think he will run a good race once again.”



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The Shunter set to defend Cesarewitch title

The Shunter is on course to defend his Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap title at Newmarket next month.

The 11–year-old has been a dual-purpose star for Emmet Mullins throughout his career and was a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021.

His return to the Rowley Mile will be only his second outing – and first on the Flat – since plundering the prestigious staying contest almost a year ago, with fast ground causing him to miss both the Chester Cup and an intended target at Royal Ascot earlier this season.

Despite the lengthy absence, his handler is happy with what he is seeing from his stalwart at home and is confident he will make the trip across the Irish Sea in good order.

“Fingers crossed and all being well, he should be back (at Newmarket) for the Cesarewitch,” said Mullins.

“We had him in the Chester Cup and it came up good to firm and we also had him in training for the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and the ground came up firm again, so he’s been in all year, we just didn’t take a chance with him on the ground.

“He had a little bit of time off in June around Ascot time, but he’s back on the go and eager to please I think.

“He’s looked after us over the years, so we have to mind him as well in regards the ground. Fingers crossed he will be able to show himself in a good light again in a few weeks.”



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This Songisforyou looking to top Cambridgeshire charts

Emmet Mullins has his sights on another prestigious Newmarket handicap as This Songisforyou lines up in the bet365 Cambridgeshire on Saturday.

Mullins is no stranger to picking up some of Britain’s most valuable events and having landed the Cesarewitch with The Shunter last October, is back on the Rowley Mile in a bid to add the other half of the autumn double, albeit a year later.

His candidate arrives having claimed a competitive Curragh event over 10 furlongs earlier this month – also performing with real credit in a feature event at the Galway Festival before that.

“He’s an exciting horse and it was great to get the win the last day,” said Mullins.

“Things seem to have fallen into place with him, but I’m not sure how many horses are able to carry off two of these big races in such a short space of time and I think our work will be cut out.

“He seems in good order and this has been on the radar since the Galway Festival. After he finished third in the big handicap there, the owner had this in mind, and it has definitely been on the radar.”

Silver Sword is a stable star for Dylan Cunha
Silver Sword is a stable star for Dylan Cunha (John Walton/PA)

Dylan Cunha, who enjoyed a landmark Group Two victory with Prague on Friday’s Newmarket card, is confident he has Silver Sword in the right form to make his presence felt, but has had his optimism curtailed by the testing conditions following significant rain on Thursday into Friday.

Cunha said: “This ground would not be ideal, but it is what it is and he’s well in himself – we were fairly confident until the forecast the last few days.

“He has the right draw and the outside seems faster than the inside and he’s well handicapped.

“I think it’s a strong Cambridgeshire and one of the strongest I’ve seen in the last few years, but he’s in good form and hopefully he will run well.”

Roi De France may be one of the least experienced in the field but produced the perfect prep run when second at Yarmouth recently and is backed to continue on his upwards curve by big-race jockey Oisin Murphy.

“He did nothing wrong at Yarmouth, he was still a bit babyish and it was his first time in a handicap,” said Murphy when analysing the Bjorn Nielsen-owned colt’s chances.

“He had to go left at Yarmouth and come behind horses and it was a perfect prep run.

“It’s a big field and going to be a different story this time round, but hopefully I can follow the right ones.

“You would think he would go with juice in the ground. Obviously it is testing now and it’s not going to dry out too much.”

Also carrying a progressive profile is William Haggas’ Godwinson, who arrives on the back of a game success at Goodwood over a mile.

“I didn’t end up riding him at Goodwood, I was sidelined, but it looked like a good performance,” said his rider Tom Marquand.

“He looked like he enjoyed the (good to soft) ground there and the trip looks perfect, so hopefully he can go well.”

Coeur D’Or and Penzance were both declared as non-runners before the cut-off to allow reserves Ebt’s Guard and Poniros to take their places in the field, with Watcha Matey and Crack Shot also taken out of the race on Friday.



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Randox Grand National – What connections say

The eyes of the racing world will be focussed on Aintree at 4pm on Saturday for what promises to be another pulsating renewal of the Randox Grand National. Here are the thoughts of some of the connections hoping to strike gold in the world’s most famous steeplechase:

Trainer Emmet Mullins – Noble Yeats (11st 12lb)

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the 2022 Grand National on Noble Yeats
Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the 2022 Grand National on Noble Yeats (David Davies/PA)

“Noble is great, he got the ferry over on Thursday. He’s had a good prep and came out of Cheltenham very well. The ground has to be seen as a bit of a negative as his best form is on nice spring ground, but he’s in good form and hopefully he’ll run a good race.

“He’s got top-weight now but he’s only got 1lb more to carry than if Conflated was running so that’s neither here nor there. He’s got the weight for a good reason and ran a brilliant race with similar last year.

“Hopefully the route we’ve gone this year, Stayers’ Hurdle rather than Gold Cup, will just leave him that little bit fresher.”

Trainer Gordon Elliott – Coko Beach (11st 8lb), Delta Work (11st 4lb), Galvin (11st 2lb), Farouk D’Alene (11st 1lb), Minella Crooner (10st 10lb), Chemical Energy (10st 9lb), The Goffer (10st 8lb)

Gordon Elliott has high hopes for Delta Work
Gordon Elliott has high hopes for Delta Work (Tim Goode/PA)

“To be honest the ground has gone against a few of then, Galvin would have loved a bit of better ground. Delta Work and Coko Beach are probably the pick of them on the ground.

“Coko Beach loves the mud, he’s probably not that well handicapped but hopefully he’ll run well.

“I’m really happy with Delta, he’s never been working as well and I haven’t had him moving as well in the last two years. I’m looking forward to it.”

Trainer Henry de Bromhead – Minella Indo (11st 6lb), Ain’t That A Shame (10st 13lb), Eklat De Rire (10st 7lb)

Minella Indo (left) winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Minella Indo (left) winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup (Michael Steele/PA)

“Minella Indo would obviously have a squeak, he has a good chance on his best form.

“Ain’t That A Shame ran well in the race last year, David Maxwell is on him and hopefully he’ll give him a good spin round. He was very good in the Thyestes.

“Eklat De Rire was disappointing at Cheltenham, we felt he was coming back before that. He’s in good form and we’re hoping that type of race will bring him back.

“I think drying ground would suit Indo, probably the other two like a bit of dig in the ground.”

Trainer Dan Skelton – Galia Des Liteaux (10st 7lb)

Galia Des Liteaux bids to aid Dan Skelton's bid to be champion trainer
Galia Des Liteaux bids to aid Dan Skelton’s bid to be champion trainer (Mike Egerton/PA)

“She loves the soft ground and I think she’ll stay the trip, you can never absolutely certain until they have but everything about her says she’ll stay it.

“She’s in great form and we’ve trained her specifically for it, just like everyone else in the race has. There are no negatives.

“There’s a lot of water to go under that bridge (trainers’ championship), but having good chances at this meeting with the prize-money on offer there is obviously very important.”

Jockey James Reveley – Roi Mage (10st 8lb)

Roi Mage jumps Becher's Brook in last year's Grand National
Roi Mage jumps Becher’s Brook in last year’s Grand National (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s a horse I’ve ridden a few times and I know quite well. I’d ridden him in France and I thought he’d be a good National type.

“I think things have gone a bit better for him this year, his last run was good, very solid, and I liked how he stayed on to the line.

“They campaign him quietly, they don’t over-race him and that’s good for an older horse. He enjoys his life with the Griffins in Ireland and I’m quietly confident.”

Trainer Gary Moore – Nassalam (11st 8lb)

Nassalam relished deep ground when winning the Welsh National
Nassalam relished deep ground when winning the Welsh National (David Davies/PA)

“He couldn’t be in a better place at home and I’m really happy with him. Everything has gone to plan except the sun has come out and it’s drying the ground out and I can’t see any rain about.

“The fact he’s got so much weight, it will be easier to carry it on better ground. But he is a stone better horse on heavy ground and it just limits his chances a bit to be honest.

“I would rather have deep ground and he will probably have two things against him now – the weight and the ground.”

Trainer Tom Ellis – Latenightpass (10st 10lb)

Latenightpass has a great Aintree record
Latenightpass has a great Aintree record (David Davies/PA)

“It’s a big day and arguably our biggest, but I’m looking forward to it.

“We’ve had a really good run with him coming into the race to be fair and we’ve had a nice run with him.

“He looks really well and he’s done all his work now and we’ve had this in mind since December. It’s just been a case of following the plan since.

“The fences and the course are not a worry with him, but the ground would be a slight concern. Although it’s the same for them all and at least Latenightpass has won on soft and heavy before anyway. Hopefully he will run well.”

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins – I Am Maximus (11st 6lb), Meetingofthewaters (10st 8lb), Mr Incredible (10st 11lb), Stattler (11st 5lb)

I Am Maximus is one of the powerful Willie Mullins National string
I Am Maximus is one of the powerful Willie Mullins National string (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It’s obviously going to dry up before Saturday and I imagine it will be sticky rather than wet.

“I Am Maximus has a big engine but I’m not sure how his jumping will stand up. In the Irish National he jumped himself out of it in the first two miles then got back into it but that is a lot harder to do over here. His best form seems to be right-handed at Fairyhouse even though he jumps left so he has a few questions to answer.

“Meetingofthewaters I think has a great profile, he is a young horse and unexposed and it was a great run at Cheltenham. He’ll have to settle and that will be a big thing for him – he was a bit keen at Cheltenham. I think he has a lovely racing weight and he’s right down the bottom really.

“Mr Incredible is a bit of a maverick and the standing start is a bit of a concern for him, he doesn’t need any encouragement to stand still for any length of time. If he does jump off, he was running a cracker here last year and this place lights him up a bit so you would have to take him seriously as well.

“I’m riding Stattler and I would have to worry about the ground for him, it will need to dry up. For me the National is the race that counts and if you are not in it you can’t win it. Any chance I get to ride in it, I’ll be taking it ”

Trainer Mouse Morris – Foxy Jacks (11st 4lb)

Foxy Jacks was a good winner at Cheltenham in November
Foxy Jacks was a good winner at Cheltenham in November (David Davies/PA)

“It’s been a very lucky place for me, I’ve had a good few winners here and I’ve been lucky enough to win the big one before.

“Foxy Jacks is jumping super and he gave an exhibition at Cheltenham in the cross-country (in November). The handicapper hasn’t been good to him and gave him 8lb for winning the cross-country and I think Hewick only got 2lb for winning the King George so I can’t work out the mathematics.

“It’s a big day and a big race so we will let him take his chance. He’s 10 now and very easy to train now so I’m not worried (about the cross-country being cancelled at the Cheltenham Festival).

“He probably won’t be at his best in the ground and I think it is whoever gets round that will win. We live and dream, there’s no point sleeping if you don’t dream.”



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National hero Noble Yeats has Stayers’ Hurdle in his sights

Emmet Mullins insists the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is more than just a stepping stone to the Randox Grand National for Noble Yeats.

The nine-year-old was the Aintree hero in 2022 but finished fourth last year when saddled with 11st 11lb in the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest, a 19lb higher mark than the previous year.

Noble Yeats prepped for that title defence by finishing a distant fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and went on to run down the field in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, leading to a later start to his campaign and a Stayers’ Hurdle bid.

Beaten as an odds-on favourite on his seasonal bow, Noble Yeats roared back to form when edging out the ever-popular Paisley Park in a thrilling finish to the Cleeve Hurdle and Mullins believes that result puts him right in the mix for top honours at the Festival.

Noble Yeats with connections after his Cleeve Hurdle win
Noble Yeats with connections after his Cleeve Hurdle win (Nigel French/PA)

He said: “He’s bouncing – he definitely improved a lot from the first time up at Limerick at Christmas. He would have needed that plenty and he definitely improved between then and the Cleeve Hurdle, hopefully he should come on again.

“That was always the plan. He was late back into training as we had such a big campaign last spring and I said to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner) back in October, we had been put in our place in the Gold Cup last year and I couldn’t see a way past those horses this time around, so we changed direction.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win the Stayers’ Hurdle either but I think he could run a good race in it. I suppose Gordon’s (Elliott) horses are still unexposed, I thought Irish Point was impressive stepping up at Christmas.”

While Aintree in April is likely his ultimate aim, Mullins is not compromising on his preparations for the Stayers’.

He added: “It’s a target in it’s own right. It definitely won’t be as demanding a race as the Gold Cup but we’re definitely training for the Stayers’ as a race in it’s own right.

“I think we were quietly confident going into the Cleeve, and I said to Robert that if we didn’t lay down a marker we’d not deserve our spot in the race, so it was good to see that he did.”

Corbetts Cross holds a clutch of novice chase entries at the Festival but his build up suffered a blow when taking a fall at Fairyhouse last week.

Mullins pointed out Corbetts Cross is the only National Hunt Chase entry for owner JP McManus, but he is unsure how much a mark that tumble has left.

He said: “He seems none the worse for the race so it’s just taking it one day at a time. Physically he looks OK and I suppose we will take our time and we won’t be schooling him for another bit of time – fingers crossed there’s no lasting damage done.

“I can’t really say (if it will be too tight for Cheltenham) without schooling him. He’s a very versatile horse. He has form beating Found A Fifty over a mile and seven in Naas last year and he has form winning over three miles. We will just keep all options open for now.

“He’s got a high quality cruising speed, so if his jumping stands up to it he can always come back in trip a bit.

“He was JP’s only entry in the National Hunt Chase, so I think he’s keen enough on going there.”

Mullins ranks So Scottish among his possible handicap contenders, expecting to travel “four or five” but Leopardstown bumper winner Jeroboam Machin will not be among them after suffering a season-ending injury.

The trainer has the distinction of having ridden a Festival winner in 2011 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle victor Sir Des Champs and saddled a victor in The Shunter, winner of the 2021 Plate at a meeting run without spectators during the pandemic.

Mullins added: “It’s a special place. Training the winner was during Covid so there was no one there but it still hit home on the day. I got a big kick out of it even though there was no crowd there.”



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Jeroboam Machin powers to head of Cheltenham Bumper market

Emmet Mullins appears to have another potential star on his hands given the way Jeroboam Machin cruised to victory in the Donohue Marquees Future Stars I.N.H. Flat Race at Leopardstown.

Continuing the dominance of the Mullins family on the opening day, Mullins’ uncle Willie was responsible for four winners, while cousin Danny rode three of them. This time is was Grand National winner Emmet taking the limelight.

The race saw the reappearance of last year’s winner, A Dream To Share, who went on to follow up at Cheltenham and Punchestown. But despite being sent off the 8-11 favourite, a repeat victory never looked likely.

Jeroboam Machin (12-1) was ridden by Derek O’Connor, who sported the light blue colours of Paul Byrne, owner in their early days of the likes of National hero Noble Yeats and The Shunter.

Having travelled sweetly to the lead, he had no problem in pulling four and a quarter lengths clear of You Oughta Know.

So impressive was the win that a number of firms promoted him to favouritism for the championship event at Cheltenham.

Mullins said: “Watching him work the last few weeks wouldn’t inspire confidence and I think I said the same after his debut, he doesn’t show much at home.

“But any time we take him away he lights up and I don’t mind what he does at home if he saves his best for the track.

“He’s green but I don’t know if that will come out of him, he comes up the gallop at home as quick with a 90-rated horse as he does a 140-horse, that’s just him. I’m just glad he’s got that bit of class.

“There’s plenty of horses we have that fall by the wayside, but Paul’s very good, he gives me free rein. I picked this lad out of an auction point-to-point which may not have been that sexy, but I loved the way he winged the last that day.”

When asked if he could go to Cheltenham, he said: “Well we came in the right-hand side of the parade ring instead of the left today, so we could go either way!”



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Waley-Cohen in awe of unorthodox ‘genius’ Emmet Mullins

Owner Robert Waley-Cohen has hailed the genius of Emmet Mullins after his Grand National hero Noble Yeats forced his way into the Stayers’ Hurdle mix when claiming a thrilling Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Making just his third appearance over the smaller obstacles, the nine-year-old was the recipient of significant support in the week leading up to the Grade Two event and was sent off the 3-1 second-favourite behind the evergreen market leader Paisley Park.

It was the two main betting protagonists that would ultimately fight out a brilliant conclusion to a contest that saw six of the seven involved in with a shout jumping the last, before Noble Yeats and Paisley Park’s staying power saw them come to the fore with the post approaching.

Only a head separated the two warriors at the finish, as Mullins pulled off another successful raid on one of the calendar’s big races.

“Emmet, as we all know, is unorthodox, but with brilliance, and what could be more thrilling than Saturday,” said Waley-Cohen.

“It was an unbelievable race and it was literally down to the last stride. You could have taken quite a big bet turning into the home straight that the three in front wouldn’t finish in the first three. I was sorry we spoiled Paisley Park’s party, but not very.

“It was only his third ever hurdle race and he wouldn’t be as quick and slick as some of those pros. However, he ran vigorously up the hill and I don’t think he quickened as much as Paisley Park, but interestingly, if you look at after the finish, he goes right away from Paisley Park.

“I don’t think he saw Paisley Park on the far side of the course. I think he thought he had the horses near him beaten and didn’t see the others because as soon as he crossed the line and they came close together he went on again.”

Noble Yeats returns after victory at Cheltenham
Noble Yeats returns after victory at Cheltenham (PA)

He went on: “He was getting 6lb on the day from Paisley Park and that perhaps made all the difference, but that’s where Emmet’s genius lies because traditionally you would go hurdles, regulation steeplechase fences and then occasionally the best go to the Grand National.

“No one does it the other way round. He’s won a Grand National, so then going for a Grade Two hurdle is not normal.”

Noble Yeats was campaigned aggressively following his Grand National triumph in 2022, treading a path that saw his Aintree defence sandwiched by tilts at both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris last season.

Connections have plumped for a more considered route to Merseyside this time around and having been kept under wraps until running at Limerick over the Christmas period, he will continue to ply his trade over timber with a crack at the Stayers’ Hurdle set to tee-up this year’s Grand National bid.

“It was a great thrill (to win the Cleeve) and he had a very hard season last year,” continued Waley-Cohen.

“He won a Listed race at Wexford, won the Many Clouds Chase, came third in the Cotswold Chase, fourth in the Gold Cup, fourth in the Grand National and picked up money in the Grand Steeple. That is one hell of a year and he needed a properly good break afterwards.

“He came back to my place in Warwickshire and had a proper break and lots of TLC and we decided we needed a much more conservative plan this year and not run him at all until after Christmas.

“The race at Limerick didn’t suit him at all and he didn’t like the ground or the course, but Saturday just played into his hands.

“He’s entitled to take his chance (in the Stayers’), but whatever the outcome it will be great step to the National. It’s a better step for him than anything else and it sounds a bit bizarre to say a Grade One race is a prep, but it looks the suitable race.”

Noble Yeats and connections after winning at Cheltenham
Noble Yeats and connections after winning at Cheltenham (Nigel French/PA)

Noble Yeats is as short as 8-1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle and although he produced a performance that warrants his place in the Festival’s day three main event, Waley-Cohen has considerable respect for the Gordon Elliott-trained duo that are currently heading the ante-post betting.

He added: “I suspect when we are back at level weights there will be a few young horses from Ireland coming over and you don’t have to be a genius to fathom out that Teahupoo and Irish Point are really nice horses on the upgrade.

“One great thing Harry (Cobden) did riding him on Saturday, was ride him into hurdles with absolute confidence and the horse absolutely revelled in coming up that hill, so who knows, we dream, we always do.

“But in terms of getting to the National in first-class order, it’s a very good option and the National is really the target.

“Many would just go to something like the Bobbyjo (Chase) which is a recognised route to the National, but being the man he is, Emmet thinks this is the better route – he is definitely unorthodox.”



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Noble Yeats denies Paisley Park in Cleeve Hurdle thriller

Grand National winner Noble Yeats denied Paisley Park a fourth victory in the McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle in a rousing finish at Cheltenham.

Trainer Emmet Mullins has proven time and again he is prepared to think outside the box and the 2022 Aintree hero was having just his third run over hurdles in this contest.

With regular jockey Sean Bowen currently on the sidelines, Harry Cobden stepped in for the ride and he looked to be going nowhere with half a mile to go as Dashel Drasher, Champ and Botox Has tried to run the finish out of the others.

The complexion of the race changed at the last though, as Noble Yeats (3-1), Paisley Park and Strong Leader, who was nearly detached at one point, came back into contention.

Noble Yeats found a few lengths after the last but Paisley Park was staying on relentlessly having been outpaced turning in.

However, despite the popular veteran’s best efforts, the line just came too soon and he went down by a head.

“It was a brilliant race with two, tough, genuine horses running right to the line – I think other people may have enjoyed it more than I did,” said Mullins.

“I’d imagine we’ll be back here in March and we had to come here and do that to lay down our claim. He will be in with a shout and all roads will lead back to the National again after that.

“Since we started back this year, this has kind of been the route (we were thinking). I said to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner) before we ran this year, we would go for the Stayers’ first (before the National) and skip the Gold Cup. I think people were surprised when they saw he didn’t have an entry for the Gold Cup but the Stayers’ Hurdle has been the plan all season.

“He stays well and the New course here lends itself to that kind of running and galloping, it’s a thorough test on that track and that suits him.”

Noble Yeats has a National repeat as his ultimate aim
Noble Yeats has a National repeat as his ultimate aim (Nigel French/PA)

Noble Yeats had not got his head in front since winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December 2022 and Mullins was pleased to get a win on the board, feeling his charge’s limitations had been exposed at the top level over fences last term.

He added: “It’s great to see him get his head back in-front again and they were serious tests we asked him in the Gold Cup, Grand National and in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, he ran a great race there and picked up some more prize-money and he didn’t come home without a cheque all year. It’s great to give him some confidence.

“We’ve had our crack at the Gold Cup and got put in our place and we’re probably 10lb off the top in that bracket, so the Stayers’ is the next logical place to look and, fingers crossed, we’re in with a chance.

“There are no rules in this game and it is great to use all the great races.”

Paisley Park was registering his third narrow defeat of the campaign, having been beaten a head in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and a short head in the Long Walk at Ascot last month.

Emma Lavelle’s pride in her charge was evident and she was touched by the reception Paisley Park received on returning to the unsaddling enclosure.

“The crowd lift him, but just not enough, we need them to shout louder,” she said.

“It’s the most emotional thing and the noise of the people calling for him and shouting for him, we just need him to try harder. He’s 12 years old and has just been beaten a head in his fifth Cleeve Hurdle and how am I ever going to have a horse like that.

“I was fine, then I walked in there (the winner’s enclosure) and people started shouting how much they love Paisley and now I just want to start crying. He is so special and he just tries his heart out.

“Maybe he’s just saving himself for the big one (Stayers’ Hurdle), but it will be a tough gig and I felt today might have been his real day this year.

“To consistently be coming out this season running like that means he’s still got it.

“They didn’t go much of a gallop and they were all sort of on top of each other and then quickened and he’s got caught for toe and then all he’s done is stay on again. He just needs an even gallop.

“I think all he’s done is stay on and just been done for a bit of toe.”



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Stayers’ Hurdle could be potential route to Aintree for Noble Yeats

The Stayers’ Hurdle has emerged as an unorthodox potential stepping-stone to a third tilt at the Randox Grand National for Noble Yeats.

The eight-year-old won the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree in 2022 and finished fourth in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and when defending his Grand National crown last season.

Making his first appearance since the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May, Noble Yeats reverted to the smaller obstacles at Limerick over the festive period – and while beaten by Sa Majeste as the 10-11 favourite, his owner Robert Waley-Cohen was satisfied with the performance.

“It was a very good first run of the season,” he said.

“I don’t think he really likes that very heavy going as it was at Limerick, but we had to start somewhere and hopefully we’ll get some better ground later in the year.”

Connections decided against entering Noble Yeats for the Gold Cup this time around, but Waley-Cohen has raised the intriguing possibility of him turning up in another major event at the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: “We’re going to enter for the Stayers’ Hurdle – if you don’t enter you can’t decide whether to go for it when the time comes.

“His main target for the year is still the Grand National. The Gold Cup is a tough race and the Grand National is a tough race and I think winning both in the same year is nigh on impossible.

Robert Waley-Cohen with the Grand National trophy
Robert Waley-Cohen with the Grand National trophy (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He was fourth in both last year, which was a fantastic performance, but I’d be more excited about winning one than being fourth in two!

“I don’t think he’s going to win a Gold Cup. He’s a 166-rated horse, the average Gold Cup winner is probably 175 and the very good ones might be closer to 180.”

Whether Noble Yeats runs over hurdles or fences on his next start remains to be seen, with Waley-Cohen keen to keep all options open.

He said: “We might put him in the Cleeve Hurdle, or if you want a chase where you require a lot of stamina you could look at the Cotswold Chase, in which he finished third last season.

“Let’s wait and see, but everything is being geared towards getting to the Grand National in first-class order to give ourselves the best possible chance.”



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