Newcastle was the latest track Patrick Mullins ticked off on his tour of the UK as Armed And Fabulous ensured the trip was worthwhile.
The leading amateur rider is on a mission to ride a winner at every track in England, Scotland and Wales and took his tally up to 15 out of 41 on the 13-8 favourite.
Trained by Willie Mullins, the mare had to dig deep in the Shaklan Dubai Equine Products UK Mares’ Maiden Hurdle to see off My Kiwi Girl by two and a half lengths having tracked a wide path throughout.
“I just felt it was maybe fresher ground on the outside but then up the home straight the horse in front was jumping to the right so I had to switch to the inside which wasn’t ideal,” he told Sky Sports Racing.
“She’s been off for a long time but we had her pretty ready and she was tough.
“She was as ready as we could have her really, we weren’t coming over here for the Newcastle sunshine!
“She’ll probably jump a fence in time looking at the size of her but I’m just delighted for her owner Pete Davies and his son Rufus is here, she got an injury last time and he’s been very patient.
“She didn’t jump that great at the second last but that was probably the first time she’d raced down to a hurdle. I had to switch inside just before it so it probably looked worse than it felt.”
In recent weeks Mullins has ridden winners at Catterick, Wetherby and Carlisle.
Patrick Mullins’ tour of UK racetracks took him to Carlisle on Monday where More Coko cruised to victory in the Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle.
Mullins would love to tick off a winner at all 41 National Hunt venues but he still has some way to go, with the Cumbrian venue the 14th at which he has been successful.
There has been a recent spurt, however, with Catterick and Wetherby only just ticked off – and with Newcastle possibly on the horizon, he might not take as long as most, given the ammunition at his disposal from his father Willie’s Closutton base.
“Everyone always says it’s one of the best chase tracks in the country, it’s my first time here but it’s a brilliant track and I’d love to come back and ride over fences one day,” said Mullins after guiding 1-5 chance More Coko to an easy victory.
More Coko was never out of second gear (Martin Rickett/PA)
“I’ve got 14 jumps tracks ticked off, I’ve a winner at Epsom as well but we won’t shout about that one. I think there’s 41, so if I can tick off five or six a year, we might get there. It’s a nice adventure to try, anyway.
“My dad might now know I’m here! This fellow is a homebred, my mother owned him and there’s a few there where I know the owners (that could come over), but I don’t think there’s the next Kopek Des Bordes or anything.
“The boys who bought him, Paul and John, are Irish but they are based in England, so it suited them to come over. I might have a mare in Newcastle next week and something for Kelso in March.”
While the leading amateur rider was without a winner himself at the Dublin Racing Festival, it was a successful two days for his father, with the likes of Galopin Des Champs, State Man, Majborough, Kopek Des Bordes, Final Demand and Bambino Fever highlighting their Cheltenham claims.
Kopek Des Bordes looked imperious at Leopardstown (Evan Treacy/PA)
The assistant trainer told Racing TV: “Considering how keen Kopek was in the race, I think you can upgrade his form.
“We hadn’t opened Final Demand up at home, we don’t need to know, you wouldn’t swap either of them.
“Galopin is the masterpiece of Willie’s career for me, we’re so lucky to have him. That fall he had at Cheltenham a few years ago made him into the pro he is, his jumping is like playing on a PlayStation, you just press X and he pops over.
“He got a great reception, it was like the Hurricane Fly days.”
There were a couple of mishaps too, in Lossiemouth and El Fabiolo, but they appear to have escaped injury.
“Lossiemouth was home last night, she was a bit stiff and sorry for herself but fine. She was lucky, from where I was 100 yards back, I thought she might not get up,” said Mullins of the Irish Champion Hurdle faller.
“It’s not ideal but the only silver lining I can see is that they were going to give each other a grueller of a race. Paul (Townend) said State Man just switched off after and hacked home.
“I suppose it was a big ask for El Fabiolo after a year off but he got up and he was fine. I’m hoping, a bit like Galopin, it might teach him, because he didn’t fall at Cheltenham, he just made a bad mistake and was pulled up. He might pick up his feet next time.”
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Patrick Mullins rounded off a successful two days in Yorkshire by steering Chart Topper to an impressive victory at Wetherby.
Having secured his first ever winner at Catterick aboard Jarrive De Mee on Wednesday, and later headed down the A1 to watch Leeds United beat Norwich City 2-1 at Elland Road, the record-breaking amateur stayed in West Yorkshire overnight to ride at Wetherby for the first time on Thursday.
Chart Topper, trained by the rider’s father Willie and owned by his mother Jackie, was an even-money favourite to land the William Hill Betting Done Properly EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, having been off the track since opening his account with a 25-length demolition job at Downpatrick in August.
In what looked a strong race for the grade, Chart Topper moved powerfully into the straight along with Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s 10-length Newbury winner Peso and the big two settled down to fight it out.
A first win on his first ride at the track for Patrick Mullins who guides Chart Topper to a solid success in the @WilliamHill Betting Done Properly EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, for trainer @WillieMullinsNH 🥇 pic.twitter.com/3kdq0jYNmY
There was not much to choose between the pair jumping the second-last, but despite showing a tendency to throw one leg out to his left, Chart Topper hit the front before the final obstacle and picked up smartly on the run-in to score by four and a quarter lengths.
Mullins said: “He was impressive, wasn’t he? We thought he was going to be one of our better bumper horses once upon a time and he got injured, but he jumps fantastically well and hopefully he might live up to what we hoped he could be.
“Jonjo’s horse brought a fair level of form and we beat him well and hopefully there’s more to come.
“He’s owned by my mother, but is for sale to stay in the yard and he’s a horse that could go to the spring festivals and later on in the year he could be a Galway and Listowel horse.
“He does have a bit of a funny action and his sister Pink In The Park is exactly the same, so it’s a family trait. They both have very unusual ways of galloping, but as my father says if they can swing it fast enough it doesn’t matter!”
Patrick Mullins after winning at Catterick (Nick Robson/PA)
Reflecting on his two-day trip, Mullins added: “It’s not been a bad two days. It was a great atmosphere at Leeds last night, I bought my Leeds United scarf and was chanting ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’! You have to fit in – there was a few fans around me and I wasn’t going to tell them I was a (Manchester) United supporter!
“I missed Thyestes day today, which is a shame as I’ve been going since I was four or five, but at least it was worth it and I see Nick Rockett won the big one which is great. I should get back for the celebrations in the Lord Bagenal hopefully!”
Mullins has now ridden winners at 13 different British tracks over jumps and boasts a 100 per cent record at nine. The 35-year-old is looking forward to further trips across the Irish Sea over the coming days and weeks.
He added: “I think I need five or six winners a year for the next five years to do them all (every jumps track in Britain), which would be great. The Ascots and the Newburys could be the trickier ones I’d imagine.
“We have Mr Escobar entered at Fontwell on Sunday, Plumpton on Monday and Newcastle on Tuesday. I don’t think we’ll be going to Fontwell, but we’ll have a look at the entries for Plumpton and Newcastle and we might go to one of those if we think it’s a good opportunity.
“He won at Sedgefield the last day, but I was suspended so Brian Hayes rode him. We’ll have to tick Sedgefield off another day!”
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Patrick Mullins loves setting himself new challenges and in riding his first winner at Catterick on Jarrive De Mee, he ticked another course off on his quest to complete a full British set.
While he is well aware the task is going to prove a stiff one, he is also humble enough to realise that he is in a very privileged position. As the son and assistant trainer of the all-conquering Willie Mullins, Patrick can cherry pick horses he thinks will be suited to certain tracks and attempt to persuade his father to let them run. But he does not always get his own way.
Despite having well over 200 horses at their Closutton base, surprisingly few will fit the requirements for the likes of Perth, Ludlow and Wincanton for midweek action across the Irish Sea.
He would love to be champion amateur in the UK too, to emulate his father who is currently champion in both jurisdictions, but believes his main rival Alex Chadwick already has too much of an advantage.
Patrick Mullins returns on Jarrive De Mee (Nick Robson/PA)
Jarrive De Mee had won in Patrick’s own colours at Thurles last time out, form which had been subsequently franked, so it was no surprise to see him sent off the 2-5 favourite in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Season Ticket Novices’ Hurdle.
However, two out it looked like being another fruitless trip to Catterick for Mullins, just like his only previous visit, when Gentleman Bill took up the running.
Searching for the better ground tight to the rail, though, Mullins brought his mount back level at the last and he went away to win by three and a half lengths.
“He jumped right most of the way so he was giving ground away,” said Mullins.
“He’s probably done well considering that. We came here for the better ground and we’d call that yielding. He’s tough, he got headed at Thurles as well.
“We’ll just take small steps with him, we’ll try to get another win under his belt and with Punchestown being right-handed we’ll aim towards that.”
Mullins, who rides at Wetherby on Thursday in search of another new winning track, was planning to spend the evening watching Championship title-chasing Leeds United take on Norwich City.
“I’m not a Leeds fan, I’m a red, (Manchester) United. I grew up in the Roy Keane, Denis Irwin era! I’ve been to Man United and Leeds matches at Old Trafford, but I’ve never been to Elland Road. I’ve friends who are fans,” he said.
“Then it’s on to Wetherby to ride Chart Topper for a very important owner – my mother!”
He will need to keep up his strike-rate to catch Chadwick, who is on a very impressive 18 winners.
“I would love to be champion amateur here, but with regards to that I think Alex Chadwick has put it to bed already, he’s had six winners since Christmas. Normally 15 would win it and he’s passed that already,” said Mullins.
“As for riding a winner at every track, I’ve been riding at home for 20 years and I know the tracks like the back of my hand. I’ve got another five or six years riding, hopefully more, but I’d love to ride as many winners at as many different tracks as I can.
“If we have horses to suit the race – for instance this fella likes nice ground – we’re quite happy to travel.”
When asked how many of the 40 National Hunt tracks he had been successful at he said: “Not enough!
“I think that’s 12 now, but we’re at Wetherby on Thursday, maybe Plumpton on Monday and we’ve a few pencilled in for next week as well, so we’ll keep ticking away.
“I like having something to aim for and this certainly gives me that. For me I need something to aim at, whether that was Ted Walsh’s record number of winners (for an amateur in Ireland) or my father’s.
“I realise I’m in a very lucky position, most people can’t attempt things like this, but I can.”
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Fun Fun Fun made an impressive start to her career over fences when leading home a one-two-three for Willie Mullins in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Naas.
Bred and ridden by the trainer’s son Patrick Mullins, the seven-year-old was a Grade Two bumper winner for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and won at Listed and Grade Three level over hurdles.
She was a 7-2 shot for her first outing over the larger obstacles and having jumped well throughout on the front end, coasted clear in the home straight to register an emphatic seven-and-a-half-length success over stablemate Karia Des Blaises, with another Closutton inmate in Iris Emery back in third.
That was FUN 🟢🟢
We haven't seen her for 250 days but Fun Fun Fun has absolutely hacked up on chasing debut.
“She jumped well for a mare having her first run. She jumped the fifth last very well and got two lengths there which changed the race,” said Willie Mullins.
“The Opera Hat back here next month could be a possibility.
“Karia Des Blaises jumped indifferently, which left her with too much to do, but she’ll get her turn and Iris Emery ran a cracker.”
The champion trainer went on to complete a treble on the card, with Ile Atlantique (15-8) impressing in the Grade Two Racing Post Novice Chase before Joystick clung on for victory in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners Irish EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Joystick jumps the final flight at Naas (Niall Carson/PA)
In deteriorating conditions, the 5-6 favourite had his rivals on the stretch from a long way out and while Honesty Policy finished with gusto, Joystick had just enough in hand to prevail by half a length.
“He’s a nice jumper and a real nice galloper,” Mullins added.
“I think he wants a longer trip but on that ground, he was well able to keep up a good pace the whole way. Stamina was coming into play in those conditions.
“He’s a horse that you would be looking forward to going chasing with next season.”
Runners and riders in the snow at Naas (Niall Carson/PA)
With heavy snow reducing visibility, Light Up The Dark was an appropriately named winner of the concluding Fifty Stars At Sunnyhill Stud (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race for Joseph O’Brien.
The previously unraced four-year-old justified 2-1 favouritism with a seven-length success in the hands of John Gleeson, who said: “It was a nice performance. Obviously it was very tough conditions but she did it very well.
“They are only four-year-olds and it’s early days for them, but you would have to be very pleased with her.”
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Kopek Des Bordes got the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown off to a flying start for Willie and Patrick Mullins with a clear-cut success in the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle.
An impressive winner of a valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse in the spring, Kopek Des Bordes (4-6 favourite) was making his seasonal reappearance and hurdling debut and tracked the pacesetting Whinney Hill from flag-fall.
The market leader was not always convincing in the jumping department, but was travelling best rounding the home turn and found plenty after safely negotiating the final flight to score by two and three-quarter lengths from his staying-on stablemate Kawaboomga.
Mullins, who elected to stay on home soil instead of travelling to Kempton to see Lossiemouth take on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle, said: “It was a very good performance considering he got unsighted at the first and Patrick said it just unnerved him for the rest of the race.
“He didn’t jump properly, he’s a way better jumper than that. I’m hoping there is a lot of improvement in his jumping.
“He looks a tip-top animal. We’ve always thought a fair bit of him.
“He’d want to brush up his jumping, but he’d look like one that could maybe come back here for a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival. He looks to have that type of an engine.”
Willie Mullins at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)
The champion trainer looked to have every chance of completing a quickfire double in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle, but even-money favourite Redemption Day could finish only fourth as Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead dominated proceedings under Mike O’Connor.
The 13-2 shot finished third behind last season’s Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux on his hurdling bow at Navan three weeks ago and confirmed that promise with a seven-length verdict.
“That was great, a nice little Christmas present,” said O’Connor.
“We were hoping that he’d improve off the last day and he did, he put his best foot forward today.”
Hello Neighbour returns to the Leopardstown winner’s enclosure (Gary Carson/PA)
Hello Neighbour made a winning start to his jumping career in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle.
Two from two on the Flat after scoring at Navan and Roscommon, Gavin Cromwell’s three-year-old was the 9-4 favourite to make a successful switch to obstacles and looked to travel well for much of the Grade Two contest in the hands of Keith Donoghue.
As the leaders emerged from the gathering fog on the run-in, Hello Neighbour held a narrow advantage over Lady Vega Allen and while the latter was finishing the stronger, Cromwell’s runner clung on in a thriller by a short head.
Paddy Power cut Hello Neighbour to 5-1 from 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Cromwell said: “That was great. It was a brave call to come here on his first start (over hurdles) and thankfully he hung on.
“He was keen in snatches in the race and because of that he didn’t jump as well as he can do.
“I think when he learns to settle better in races he’ll be better again. It’s a good result.”
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Following a memorable success together last Christmas for a variety of different reasons, Patrick Mullins and Gaelic Warrior will be reunited in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown.
The partnership claimed what was ultimately a clear-cut Grade One victory in the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick 12 months ago, but what happened post-race grabbed the headlines.
Gaelic Warrior got in a minor barging match with stablemate Il Etait Temps on the run to the penultimate fence and Patrick Mullins appeared to react angrily to that incident, berating his cousin Danny as the pair pulled up after the winning line.
Speaking afterwards, Patrick 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.” While Willie Mullins added: “I had my son and my nephew trying to kill each other!”
Both riders made light of the incident once the dust had settled and both horses went on to enjoy fine campaigns, with Gaelic Warrior claiming Cheltenham Festival glory in the Arkle.
The six-year-old will be a warm order to bag another big-race success on Friday, but with his mount having been off the track since being beaten by Il Etait Temps at Punchestown in the spring, Patrick Mullins is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “I’m delighted to get back on Gaelic Warrior – hopefully Danny doesn’t put his nose where he shouldn’t this year!
“Leopardstown maybe hasn’t seen him at his best in the past and obviously he’s making his first start of the season against horses who have had a run, so it won’t be straightforward.
“He is the best horse in the race, but if there is a day that he might be vulnerable this year, it might be this. But we’re very happy with him at home and we’re expecting a big run and I can’t wait to get back on him.”
Gaelic Warrior is one of four runners for Willie Mullins, with Danny aboard Gentleman De Mee, Mark Walsh riding Dinoblue and Daryl Jacob partnering Blue Lord.
Marine Nationale winning at Leopardstown last year (Niall Carson/PA)
Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty is bang-in-form following successive Grade Two wins, while Barry Connell is confident of a bold showing from his stable star Marine Nationale, who blew away any cobwebs when second to Quilixios in a Grade Three at Naas last month.
Connell said: “As you know, he had a shortened season last year, so he was kind of light on experience going into Naas. We’ve given him a racecourse school since then and we were very happy with the way he jumped.
“He’s going to relish the good ground tomorrow – it’s probably the first time since he won his maiden hurdle that he’s got the proper good ground that he wants.
“He’s a course and distance winner and we couldn’t be happier with the way he’s working, so we’re expecting him to be very competitive.
“They’re all there, but we wouldn’t swap our guy for anything else. We have him in the shape we want him and we think conditions will suit.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Captain Guinness also features in a quality field.
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Gordon Elliott’s Kalypso’chance impressed with a neat victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race at Navan.
He had won his sole point-to-point start by 13 lengths in April before changing hands and is now owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who ran two in the race.
Ridden by Patrick Mullins as the 5-4 favourite, the four-year-old travelled well throughout and took up the lead a furlong from home to score by four and a half lengths from John McConnell’s Heads Up, with a further two and a half lengths back to stablemate Classical Creek.
“I’d say he’s a smart horse, he’s a good horse,” said Elliott of the gelding, who is now 7-1 from 8-1 for the Champion Bumper with Paddy Power.
“Patrick said he’s a fair horse. We’ll probably end up going to Leopardstown all being well.
“He quickened really well, it was a nice race and I was happy with him.”
The likes of Samcro, Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard are previous winners of the contest.
🏆 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race 🏆 🥇 Kalypso'chance🥈 Heads Up🥉 Classical Creek
Gavin Cromwell enjoyed a successful afternoon with Midnight It Is and Individualiste providing a double on the card.
The former lined up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase under Sean Flanagan, starting at 10-1 when returning to action after a lengthy absence having last been seen in January.
His time away from the track was no hindrance as he went on to score by a length and a half, with a step up grade now possibly around the corner.
“Obviously he hadn’t run for a long time but he runs well fresh,” said Cromwell.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for the ground for him. He’s been ready for quite a while and we were anxious to get him out.
“He won well and we might have a look at the Dan Moore. Hopefully we’re up to that grade.”
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase was then won by the same trainer with 10-11 favourite Individualiste, ridden by Keith Donoghue when stepping down in trip after a staying success at Thurles last time out.
“He had to battle, I was definitely a little bit worried for a while,” Cromwell said of the victory.
“He got the jump at the last and he was gutsy enough. A Wave Of The Sea (runner-up) is a classy horse on his day.
“We’ll see where we go from here. He travelled quite well there so we could potentially come back in trip a bit.”
“There might be something in Leopardstown for him. He might creep into the bottom of the two-miler there. Two miles on decent ground is important.
“He wouldn’t want it any softer. It’s dead enough there but he handled it fine.”
Glen Kiln took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles for owner and trainer Michael Bowe, a comfortable six-length success under Brian Hayes at 9-2.
The trainer’s brother John said afterwards: “He’s a very nice horse, he’s only five.
“He schooled last week over fences in Limerick junction and we were going to go for a beginners’ chase but the ground was nicer here, he wants soft ground.
“Two and a half miles and the track, all the conditions were right for him. We love him, he’s a horse for the future.
“He’s from Sweet Kiln and Limestone Lad’s family. We had great luck with them around this track years ago so it’s great to be back here. We haven’t had a winner in Navan for many years.
“We’ll see what the handicapper does now. Fences is definitely his future and he jumped particularly well last week schooling.”
Elsewhere on the card, Blaze The Way took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle at 16-1 for Margaret and Danny Mullins, while Verdant Place took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase as the 3-1 favourite for Simon Torrens and Patrick Foley.
Patrick Mullins has paid tribute to Ferny Hollow, the hugely-talented 2020 Champion Bumper winner who died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Cork on Sunday.
Mullins was riding the nine-year-old for his father, Willie, in the Grade Two Hilly Way Chase, won by stable companion Energumene.
It was only Ferny Hollow’s fifth run since that Cheltenham success, having overcome absences of 380 days and a mammoth 791 days before his victory in the Grade Three Newlands Chase last November.
Returning from a 287-day break at Cork, he had turned in a fine effort against top-class horses before coming down at the penultimate fence and could not be saved following his fall.
“I was probably just about to land into third, so we’d have finished second given what happened at the last with Banbridge which would have been a great run and he’s just come down at the back of the second-last,” Patrick Mullins told www.sportinglife.com.
“He got up and walked back into the stable yard, but unfortunately deteriorated there and he didn’t make it.
“It’s very, very sad. He didn’t really get to fulfil his potential.”
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Franciscan Rock claimed his second win in nine days for Mouse Morris with a determined display in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan (Peugeot) Hurdle at Clonmel.
Victorious in a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown last time out, the seven-year-old was an 11-4 shot to follow up in this conditions event under 5lb claimer Gavin Brouder.
Paul Nolan’s Sandor Clegane was the 7-4 favourite on his first appearance since finishing fourth behind Spillane’s Tower in a Grade One novice chase at the Punchestown Festival in the spring, a race in which the reopposing Three Card Brag finished third.
Sandor Clegane looked to be travelling best as the four-strong field rounded the turn for home, but Franciscan Rock’s superior race-fitness kicked in between the final two flights and a bold leap at the last sealed a three-and-a-half-length verdict.
“My horses weren’t right for six to 12 months, but hopefully have turned the corner now,” said Morris.
“I don’t know what it was, but they just weren’t finishing their races, although some weren’t any good. We had to clean out the whole place, changed water pots and did everything possible.
“Franciscan Rock had some good form and there were no slouches for today’s four-horse race – any of the four could have won.
“He is qualified for the Pertemps Final (at Cheltenham) but a lot of water has to flow under the bridge first. I’ll give him a break now.”
Willie and Patrick Mullins teamed up to win both divisions of the ClonmelRaces.ie (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle, with C’Est Ta Chance’s victory followed by success for fellow Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned youngster Karafon.
C’est Ta Chance was an 8-13 favourite on his first outing since finishing fourth in the Aintree bumper in April and eventually stamped his class with a five-length triumph.
Patrick Mullins said: “This is usually a Bermuda triangle race for me and this horse just seemed to drop the bridle coming down the hill, but once I got daylight he hit another gear.
“I think he’ll improve plenty from it and hopefully he will make up into a graded horse.”
Karafon (7-4) was usurped as favourite for division two by his Jody Townend-ridden stablemate Karamoja (5-6), but the former – not seen since finishing fifth in a Grade Two at Leopardstown last Christmas – got the job done in fine style. Uhavemeinstitches made late gains to split the Mullins pair in second.
Mullins added: “He jumped brilliant, settled great and his form entitled him to do it like that.
“I couldn’t ride Karamoja for weight reasons and at home she would work as well as the winner, but Karafon has an extra season’s training with us under his belt. That is often worth a lot and Karamoja ran keen and will probably improve more from it.
“We think a lot of both horses and can step Karafon up in grade now.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a1773717-3301-4752-a4a5-b18c3a7d160f.jpg5011003Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-12-03 14:51:422024-12-03 14:51:42Franciscan rocks for Mouse Morris at Clonmel
Neil Mulholland saddled two runners at Cheltenham’s November meeting and left with two winners as Transmission followed up Double Powerful’s win on Friday under a terrific waiting ride from Patrick Mullins in the Steel Plate & Sections Ltd Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
Mulholland is enjoying a real purple patch at the moment – Double Powerful was winning his sixth race in succession – but Transmission had gone close at Cheltenham’s October fixture when second to Hyland.
The fact Nicky Henderson’s novice won on Friday’s card in better company boosted the form and saw Transmission sent off the 11-4 favourite, although coming down the hill he still had five in front of him.
Java Point hit the front at the second-last but when Mullins pulled his mount out, he quickened up to win by a length and a half.
“Patrick was absolutely brilliant on him, what an unbelievable ride. I’m really happy,” said Mulholland.
Patrick Mullins with the winning connections of Transmission (Nigel French/PA)
“He just crept away and he knows where the winning post is doesn’t he. He actually texted me for the ride. The entries were out Monday and he texted Monday afternoon.
“Paul (McKeon) the owner had Renegade with Willie (Mullins) who won the Cheltenham Bumper so they’ve got connections as well, but Paul is a great supporter of ours. When I told him Patrick had been on he said ‘say no more’.
“Maybe we can look at things like the National Hunt Chase long-term. That was the plan today. We wanted to give him a couple of runs here maybe with something like that in mind.
“He had course and distance form, he had a run under his belt and he had a top amateur so he had a lot going for him. We try to tick as many boxes as possible and it paid off.”
Dan and Harry Skelton won the Arkle Trial with the impressive L’Eau Du Sud and doubled up with 5-4 favourite Doyen Quest in the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle.
A slow pace meant there were still plenty in with chances coming down the hill, with Doyen Quest behind a wall of horses.
Second in the Silver Trophy last time out, Doyen Quest quickened up impressively and eventually pulled five lengths clear of Gowel Road.
“There was one jump that was highly unnecessary, but he’s a progressive stayer, that was his first try at the trip,” said Dan Skelton.
“He’s come a long way in 12 months as this time last year he hadn’t run over hurdles.
“Short-term we’ll confirm him for the £100,000 race at Haydock (Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle) and see where the road takes us.”
Impressive! 👊
The bumper goes to Ireland but not the horse many expected because it was Seo Linn who won in the style of a speedy filly!
Billy Lee is a multiple Group One-winning Flat jockey and his class showed as he steered Seo Linn (5-2) to a striking success in the closing Listed mares’ bumper.
Trained by Paddy Twomey, another better known for his exploits on the level, the winner looked a smart prospect in pulling five lengths clear.
“Paddy asked a couple of weeks ago if I wanted to come to Cheltenham and I said definitely, it’s always nice to come here – especially when you’re not facing hurdles!” said Lee.
“It was my fourth ride here, I had a few over hurdles many years ago but she’s my first winner. Watching the Festival here as a kid it’s a dream to have a winner here.
“I don’t think Paddy has any more bumper horses though so that will be it.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/278222557-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-11-16 13:46:022024-11-16 16:35:13Mullins and Transmission the perfect match for in-form Mulholland
Hipop De Loire bids to follow in the hoofprints of Absurde when he lines up in the Sky Bet Ebor for Willie Mullins.
Famously now the champion British jumps trainer alongside his perennial Irish crown, Mullins again has his sights on the Knavesmire as he seeks a third Ebor after collecting 12 months ago, thanks in no small part to a magical Frankie Dettori ride on Absurde.
Mullins – who first struck in the big handicap with Sesenta in 2009 – could again have bookmakers running for cover with German recruit Hipop De Loire, who was second over hurdles on his stable debut at Galway and will have the assistance of Colin Keane in the saddle.
The son of American Post does have Flat credentials, having taken Listed honours when trained by Michal Borkowski, and assistant trainer Patrick Mullins is confident the seven-year-old will be competitive.
Willie Mullins looks on as Frankie Dettori celebrates Ebor glory (Mike Egerton/PA)
“His work at home is very good, he ran very well in a hurdle race for us at Galway. He was beaten by another highly-rated Flat horse in Jackfinbar,” he said.
“Absurde got beat in a hurdle at Galway before winning the Ebor last year, so that’s not a bad prep! He’s run on good ground on the continent, so we are hopeful he will go on it.
“He’s been given a mark of 102, which obviously says his form is strong, and like I said, his work has been good, so we feel he is competitive off that mark and having the Irish champion (jockey) Colin Keane is a big plus.
“There’s huge prize-money, people aim for it and obviously the stamina of the race opens up to jumps’ trainers as well with the mile and six around York.”
James Owen has targeted the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap for Burdett Road (Nigel French/PA)
Burdett Road has been targeting this race since a setback ruled him out of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The four-year-old, who was a winner at Royal Ascot when trained by Michael Bell before switching to James Owen, made his reappearance on the level in the John Guest Racing Handicap at the King George meeting, finishing less than four lengths behind the winner in fifth.
Owen is sure there is improvement to come from that reappearance and said: “He’s great, I couldn’t be happier with him. I was pleased with his comeback run at Ascot, he settled well and stayed on well at the line.
“He looks to have come on massively for that, he had a racecourse gallop last week which has hopefully put him spot on. I’m happy with the draw, very happy with that, and it’s all systems go. I can’t wait for Saturday. He’s entitled to improve a lot from the Ascot run.
“This has been his target since we had that minor setback and he had a nice break. The Gredley family (owners) wanted a crack at the Ebor, it’s good prize-money and they want to support it, and hopefully try to win it.”
My Mate Mozzie’s handler Gavin Cromwell hopes to add his name to what has been a growing list of Irish-trained winners in recent years, with five of the last 10 renewals going to runners from the Emerald Isle.
My Mate Mozzie is another who has transitioned to the Flat at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
“I think he will be reasonably suited to the race and hopefully there’s a steady pace in it,” the Danestown trainer said.
“A little bit of rain would be no harm to take the sting out of the ground. As expected, it is a very competitive race, but I hope he will be competitive in it.
“I suppose I would have probably preferred to have a lower number (drawn 13), but it is what it is and we will have to leave it in the hands of Gary Carroll (who was successful aboard Sesenta). He knows him, he’s ridden him plenty, so it’s definitely a positive.”
Runner-up to the rapidly-improving Crystal Black at Royal Ascot, Epic Poet will be attempting a mile and three-quarters for the first time and trainer David O’Meara admits the trip will be an unknown for the five-year-old, who is drawn in stall 16.
Epic Poet, right, came second behind Crystal Black, centre, in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
“He’s in good form. I think it does (draw make an impact), if you’re wide you have to decide to go forward and hope to get in, or take back and maybe end up too far back, so I do think it will make a huge difference,” said O’Meara, whose charge was last seen finishing fifth here in the John Smith’s Cup.
“I hope he stays the trip. It’s more of an unknown than a concern – if it works, brilliant, and if it doesn’t, then we know.”
O’Meara has a second representative through Iron Lion, while Aidan O’Brien has booked James Doyle for Queenstown and Yorkshireman William Haggas looks to Naqeeb to give him what would be a cherished first Ebor.
Also of note is Brian Ellison’s Northumberland Plate winner Onesmoothoperator aiming to emulate Sergeant Cecil in adding the Ebor to his victory in the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ at Newcastle.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/273460941-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-23 10:58:362024-08-23 10:58:36Hipop hooray for masterful Mullins again in the Ebor?
Cameletta Vega was an poignant winner of the final race on the penultimate day of the Galway Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins, the five-year-old is a daughter of dual Derby hero Camelot out of the brilliant racemare Quevega, making her a half-sister to multiple Grade One-winning stablemate Facile Vega, who was fatally injured earlier this week.
Quevega famously landed the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on six occasions, while Facile Vega followed in her hoofprints by winning the 2022 Champion Bumper in the Cotswolds.
With the champion trainer’s son Patrick doing the steering, Cameletta Vega was an 8-11 shot for the Salthill Hotel Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race, which had gone to the all-conquering Closutton team five times in the last eight years.
Now that's a debut and a half! 🟥🟦
𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐚, by Camelot and out of the brilliant Quevega, makes just about all the running to end the 2024 @Galway_Races Festival on a high note.
Favourite backers will have had few concerns, with Cameletta Vega travelling strongly at the head of affairs from flag-fall – and she had most of her rivals in trouble before the home turn.
Once given the office, she soon quickened clear of the field, with her rider punching the air as he passed the post with three and three-quarter lengths in hand over The Diddler.
Quevega has now produced four foals that have made the racecourse – Princess Vega, Facile Vega, Aurora Vega and Cameletta Vega – and all have won on their respective debuts.
Patrick Mullins said: “She was a little bit worked up, but very professional once the race started. The plan wasn’t particularly to make the running, but nobody wanted to make it and I said we’d bowl along.
“We got to set our own fractions and kick off the bend. With her pedigree she was entitled to win.”
He added: “It’s a bright start and particularly this week, with Facile Vega passing away. Facile gave us some wonderful days, for me personally we had wins in Leopardstown at Christmas, at the Dublin Racing Festival, in Cheltenham and in Punchestown.
“The day in Cheltenham will live long in the memory for me. It was the wettest day I’ve ever seen in Cheltenham, he was Quevega’s son and probably one of the bankers of the meeting. We got the head-to-head with Jamie (Codd) and American Mike and we won and a few of my friends snuck into the winner’s enclosure – it was a very enjoyable day.
“It’s frustrating and sad to lose a horse like him, but the owners have this mare coming through and Aurora Vega is back in (training) on Monday and there’s a four-year-old by Australia in the yard who is not named yet, but she’s nice as well.
“I didn’t get to ride Quevega, it was a bit before I was at that level, but it’s great to have that connection with them and it just shows those good racemares can be good broodmares. It’s very special.”
Patrick Mullins celebrates after winning the Champion Bumper on Facile Vega (David Davies/PA)
Willie Mullins said: “It was nice to see her do that and it was the best bit of work she has ever done. She was backward last year but has come forward nicely and Quevega’s progeny seem to take time.
“She is very strong but wouldn’t be anything like the size of Facile Vega and to me she is maturing all the time. She quickened nicely and is obviously better than she is showing me at home.
“We’ll aim for the Listed bumper in Gowran in October.”
Of Facile Vega, he added: “He had just returned in from grass, so was fresh, and it was a freak accident as he kicked a wall in the stable.
“I was speaking to Nicky Henderson and he said the same thing happened to Shishkin. It was unfortunate but it was just one of those things that can happen.”
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Patrick Mullins has warned Britain’s leading yards that his father Willie may well aim for back-to-back victories in the jump trainers’ championship if topping the table this term.
The Closutton camp added a rather modest £4,356.80 to their tally when Patrick partnered 2-9 favourite Rath Gaul Boy to an easy success in the Dragonbet Best Odds On Welsh Sport Novices’ Hurdle at Ffos Las.
But that win showed that having already passed the £3million mark with Grand National victories at Aintree and Ayr to build up a sizeable lead over Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, Mullins is clearly keen to take nothing for granted.
And if he becomes only the second trainer based in Ireland to claim the UK title, the inspiration is there to push on for a second straight success.
Barely out of third gear!
A worthwhile trip to @FfosLasRC for Patrick Mullins, as Rath Gaul Boy cruises to victory in the opening Novices' Hurdle… pic.twitter.com/Gcm3wdlEOE
“Myself, Ruby (Walsh) and David (Casey) would love it to be the plan from the start of the season, but Willie is always very much like mind your own garden and don’t let anyone get a foothold at home and do your best there,” Patrick Mullins told Sky Sports Racing.
“The only reason this became possible is because I Am Maximus won the National, if he hadn’t won the National, we wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t have been at Ayr. It’s half a million, so we’d be fourth.
“So that changed things and we’ve been blown away by the support. People have been saying if you want to send a horse to Ffos Las or Ludlow or wherever, then do that. We’re very grateful for that.
“But Vincent O’Brien did it in the 1950s and he did it two years in a row, so if we do win it, maybe we’ll have to come back next year and emulate him! Although to emulate anything Vincent O’Brien did would be very special, because he is the legend.”
Paul Townend aboard I Am Maximus after winning the Aintree Grand National (David Davies for the Jockey Club).
Manchester United fan Mullins was at Wembley on Saturday to watch the Red Devils reach the FA Cup final by getting past Coventry, but he took note of how they blew a 3-0 lead and came within a whisker of being knocked out in extra-time before prevailing on penalties.
Nicholls famously overturned a big deficit on the final day at Sandown when the Closutton team were last in pole position to top the table back in 2016.
“We went to Sandown before on the last day and we’ve been here before and we didn’t win, but hopefully this time we can,” added Patrick.
“The bid for the English title has really livened everything up for us at Closutton as well and we’re really enjoying it. I’m delighted to be in Ffos Las, I was delighted to be in Ayr and I can’t wait to be going to Ludlow on Wednesday.
Willie Mullins with Scottish National winner Macdermott (Robert Perry/PA).
“I haven’t seen a lot of these tracks, so it’s exciting and hopefully we can get it over the line.
“People have been very kind, we were up in Ayr and the crowd were so welcoming and very supportive of us.
“I remember when Man United used to win everything and everyone wanted to beat them, so there is that side of things when you’re successful, but Willie’s always said you take nothing for granted and you don’t know when things can change, so enjoy it while you can.
“We got the bounce of the ball in Ayr, where we got two photo-finishes. Macdermott could have been second and Chosen Witness could have been second, so that would have changed the whole thing again.”
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The last time Willie Mullins had a chance of winning the British trainers’ title, Paul Nicholls landed the Coral Scottish Grand National with Vicente before going on to secure top spot in the table at Sandown.
This time around, the all-conquering Mullins is throwing everything at it, with 18 runners on the big card at Ayr on Saturday, as he attempts to emulate the legendary Vincent O’Brien, something the Closutton handler’s son and assistant Patrick acknowledges would be “incredibly special”.
While the victory of I Am Maximus in the Grand National at Aintree put Mullins in the driving seat, the team are taking nothing for granted, based on what happened in 2016.
This year, they are involved in a three-way battle with Dan Skelton joining the fray, and Mullins jnr thinks if any of the three manage to win either the National or the Scottish Champion Hurdle this weekend, it will go a long way to deciding the outcome.
“We find ourselves in a position we weren’t particularly expecting, so we’re going to be putting everything we can towards it now,” he said.
Willie Mullins is aiming to emulate the great Vincent O’Brien (PA)
“It’s 70-odd years since Vincent O’Brien was the only Irish trainer to win the British jumps title, so to emulate him would be something that would be incredibly special.
“In 2016, we actually came into this weekend ahead as well, I think, but Paul Nicholls pulled a rabbit out of the hat and won the Scottish National with Vicente at 14-1 and that was the difference in the end.”
Despite Mullins’ total dominance over the National Hunt scene, his victory last weekend was only his second Grand National, 19 years after Hedgehunter provided him with his first.
“There were a few sore heads on Wednesday after the (homecoming) parade, but you have to celebrate the good days,” Mullins told a Zoom call organised by Ayr Racecourse.
I Am Maximus on his homecoming in Leighlinbridge (Niall Carson/PA)
“It was 19 years since we won the Grand National and to win a second is great. We had seven runners, but if I Am Maximus had come down, we wouldn’t have had any in the first six, so you need a bit of luck. I wasn’t sure if he’d adapt to the course, but he did very well.
“We’ve celebrated but we’re back on track now and focussed on Ayr, trying to bring home some sterling.”
There has never been an Irish-trained Scottish National winner since the race moved from Bogside to Ayr and Mullins has never had a winner at the track either.
He went on: “It’s an incredible statistic. I can’t wait to come over to Ayr, it always looks a brilliant crowd for the big racedays there.
“Every year, I watch the Scottish National and it looks a fantastic race with a huge crowd, we’re very excited to be coming over and hopefully we can break one, if not two of those statistics.
“We’ll be stopping off in Perth and one or two other places during the week before Sandown.
“I think Saturday will be a pivotal day. I keep thinking back to 2016 when Paul won the National. If we can get out of Ayr still ahead, that is going to be huge for us.
“If Paul or Dan win the Champion Hurdle or the National, that’s going to make it squeaky bum time as such, but if we can get out ahead, that will be huge.”
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