https://www.racingpost.com/news/mem...rd-to-him-more-than-any-horse-in-years/586611
It says a lot about Willie Mullins' relentless ambition for success that, despite being Ireland's champion trainer for each of the past 15 seasons, he is still finding ways to scale new heights as he enters his 35th year with a licence.
Mullins bossed last season's festive period with 15 winners, featuring a surprise King George VI Chase triumph with Tornado Flyer, a hat-trick of domestic Grade 1s and a clean sweep of Leopardstown's Christmas bumpers.
Such dominance extended to the Dublin Racing Festival, where he mopped up seven of the 15 events on Ireland's premier weekend of jumping, but the best was still to come later in the spring.
The Closutton team emerged with an unprecedented ten winners at the Cheltenham Festival, bolstered by a spectacular 1,518-1 five-timer on the final day, and the Punchestown festival saw him notch another 14 successes. In total, he plundered nine individual Grade 1 winners across the final five days of the Irish season.
Galopin Des Champs: being targeted at the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs: being targeted at the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Exceeding such lofty standards would look a most unlikely challenge for most trainers, but Mullins is clearly hungry to keep building on another massive season last term, evidenced by purchasing a host of exciting new recruits from France, Britain, Irish point-to-points and bumpers.
There have been notable retirements for major prize-money earners over the past season. Al Boum Photo, Melon, Concertista and Stormy Ireland are no longer on the Closutton teamsheet, while the likes of Monkfish and Asterion Forlonge appear unlikely to figure in the opening half of the season. The Nice Guy, Redemption Day and James's Gate also look set to be on the sidelines this term.
However, there is considerable depth to Mullins' squad of youngsters, highlighted by the fact he has won no fewer than 81 bumpers in Ireland since the beginning of 2021.
With quality locked and loaded in each division, everything points to another colossal campaign for jump racing's biggest powerhouse.
Stable profile
Yard Closutton
Where Bagenalstown, County Carlow
Started training 1987
Horses in yard 180
Members of staff 65
Assistant trainers Patrick Mullins, David Casey, Ruby Walsh
Head men Dick Dowling and David Porter
Travelling head lad Ben Delmer
Gallop man Paddy Dowling
Jockeys Paul Townend, Danny Mullins, Brian Hayes, Rachael Blackmore, Sean O'Keeffe, Bryan Cooper, Richie Deegan, Conor McNamara, Jack Foley
Conditional Kieran Callaghan
Amateurs Patrick Mullins, Jody Townend, Ruth Dudfield, Charlie Mullins, Elliot Ohgren, Pat Taaffe, Steven Cahill
Secretary and office administrator Grainne Whelan
Office administrator Matthew Hogan
Accountant John Dunne
Website wpmullins.com
Twitter @WillieMullinsNH
Winners in Ireland
2021-22 203
2020-21 182
2019-20 166
2018-19 207
2017-18 212
Profit/loss to €1 stake
2021-22 -164.20
2020-21 +6.54
2019-20 -137.86
2018-19 -169.99
2017-18 -80.97
Total prize-money in Ireland 2021-22
€5,883,515
Adamantly Chosen
Five-year-old gelding by Well Chosen (sire) out of Sher's Adamant (dam)
Owner: Watch This Space Syndicate
Form figures: 10-4011
Racing Post Rating: 146 (chase) Official Rating: -
He's made a nice start to his chasing career, winning at Listowel and Punchestown. We'll look to campaign him in staying novice chases and hope that he handles winter ground. Those ground conditions might not be his first love but we'll give him the opportunity to tell us. He'll be entered in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles next month but probably wants further.
Aghaboy
3g Protectionist - Atlanita
Dr S P Fitzgerald
211
RPR 118h
He's now won two of his first three starts over hurdles this season and looks a nice three-year-old hurdler.
Star quality
Allaho
8g No Risk At All - Idaho Falls
Cheveley Park Stud
1/2111-1
RPR 181c OR 177c
I'd imagine the King George at Kempton will be his early-season aim. We'll see how that goes and then my preference would be the Ryanair, but I haven't spoken to Cheveley Park yet. With them also having A Plus Tard for the Gold Cup, they might like to split them up. He'll have a couple of options to start off, possibly the Clonmel Oil Chase [on November 17] depending on whether the ground is right for him at the time.
Allegorie De Vassy: set to be campaigned over fences this season
Allegorie De Vassy: set to be campaigned over fences this season
Patrick McCann
Allegorie De Vassy
5m No Risk At All - Autignac
Mrs S Ricci
P52/311-
RPR 138h OR 137h
She'll go over fences this season. She's a fine, big, strong mare and I think she's one to look forward to down that route this time around. She's a little behind the others. It was a small setback that saw her miss Cheltenham last season.
Appreciate It
8g Jeremy - Sainte Baronne
Miss M A Masterson
2/1111/7-
RPR 163h OR 160h
He had a small problem last season and we decided not to go for a full campaign with him. He'll go novice chasing and I'd imagine with the sort of speed he's shown over hurdles, he'd have no issue going down the Arkle route, though he could be one for the Turners. It doesn't really matter to me whether he starts off at two miles or two and a half miles, we'll just wait for him and the right race to come along.
Ashroe Diamond
5m Walk In The Park - Saine D'Esprit
Blue Blood Racing Club
1241-
RPR 122b
I've been really delighted with her work. I started working her a bit ahead of the others and she's really pleasing me. I'd say she'll be one of the first horses out for us ahead of this winter. She jumps well and is doing everything right at home so hopefully we'll be going down the mares' novice hurdles path.
Ashroe Diamond: dazzled in the Grade 2 Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Bumper at Aintree
Ashroe Diamond: dazzled in the Grade 2 Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Bumper at Aintree
Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Asterion Forlonge
8g Coastal Path - Belle Du Brizais
Mrs J Donnelly
3/1UF47-
RPR 168c OR 162c
He's only starting back in training as he picked up an injury in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That run, in the circumstances, shows how good a horse he could be – he definitely has an engine. I'd imagine it'll be the last quarter of the season before he runs. He had complications while recovering so he's behind schedule but we got a good review from the vet the other day. We might be looking at the likes of Fairyhouse or Punchestown in the spring as opposed to Cheltenham in March.
Authorized Art
7g Authorized - Rock Art
Nicholas Peacock
5-12111
RPR 150c
He's been revitalised since going chasing, winning his last three in good style at Limerick, Killarney and Tipperary. His next start will be the Drinmore Novice Chase next month and we hope he can keep improving.
Billaway
10g Well Chosen - Taipans Girl
The Turner Family
5/2211-1
RPR 147c
He eventually got his big win at Cheltenham last season in the Festival Hunters' Chase and I'd imagine he'll take a similar path to the festival as last year. I like to give him a bit of practice because, as you saw at Cheltenham, he races lazily. It looked like he had no chance at the third-last there, and then he got into the race to lead late on.
Billaway: winner of last season's St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham
Billaway: winner of last season's St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Blizzard Of Oz
4g Arctic Cosmos - Definite Jt
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
2-
RPR 112b
We bought him from Harley Dunne after he ran well when second in a Listed bumper at Limerick behind Impulsive Dancer in March. That was just his first start. I'd imagine we'll keep him to bumpers this season.
Blue Lord
7g Blue Bresil - Lorette
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
31113-1
RPR 160c OR 156c
I think he's a Champion Chase type. I'd imagine he'll start off in either the Fortria Chase [on November 13] at Navan or the Poplar Square Chase at Naas [on November 12], then head to Leopardstown at Christmas, the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham.
Blue Lord: last seen winning the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at the Punchestown festival
Blue Lord: last seen winning the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at the Punchestown festival
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Brandy Love
6m Jet Away - Bambootcha
Claudio Michael Grech
13/121-
RPR 146h OR 145h
She hasn't come back to us yet and is still in pre-training. We're going to aim her at the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, rather than go chasing. Her form at Fairyhouse last season – beating Harry Fry's Love Envoi – must put her in with a favourite's chance for a race like that. Going left-handed is a lot easier for her. I won't be looking for right-handed races but sometimes you just can't help it and have to go right-handed if the right race is there. She seems very keen to stay left-handed, though.
Bring On The Night
5g Gleneagles - Brasileira
Mrs J Donnelly
14-5
RPR 138h OR 139h
Unfortunately he injured himself coming home after his second in the Ascot Stakes during the summer. He'll be one for the second half of the season and could have a couple of runs over hurdles. Possibly our biggest target could be to have him ready for Royal Ascot next year. That might be most realistic.
Bronn
5g Notnowcato - Cluain Easa
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
1/1521-4
RPR 141h OR 137h
I think he has fences written all over him so he'll go novice chasing. He looks a staying type and had some decent form in novice hurdles last season, winning a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles.
Capodanno: recorded a first Grade 1 win in last season's Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown
Capodanno: recorded a first Grade 1 win in last season's Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Capodanno
6g Manduro - Day Gets Up
JP McManus
112U4-1
RPR 160c OR 159c
I think he's a Grade 1 horse and is good enough to go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I gave him an entry for Newbury in the Coral Gold Cup but it's probably speculative. We'll have a look at the weights first. He'll go down the staying Grade 1 chase route. I think I want nicer ground for him rather than real heavy, winter ground. He's a big horse and I'm not keen to run on this autumn good ground – I don't mind good in the spring, but he's one I'm looking for nice ground on nice tracks. I'd say JP McManus might favour Aintree for the Bowl but we'll let the horse tell us and see how the Gold Cup picture goes.
Captain Kangaroo
7g Mastercraftsman - We Can Say It Now
Kanga Racing & Brett Graham Syndicate
664421
RPR 125c OR 120c
Stepping up in distance seemed to bring out the best in him when winning the Cork Grand National on Sunday. He'd been learning his trade and came good. I was delighted for Kieran Callaghan to head back to Cork and ride a big winner there, as the stewards didn't allow him to ride Stratum at the same track earlier in the year because he supposedly wasn't good enough. He and the horse proved their worth.
Chacun Pour Soi
10g Policy Maker - Kruscyna
Mrs S Ricci
3/151U-2
RPR 179c OR 172c
He's in great order. We've always kept him to two miles because he's such a good jumper but I think at this stage in his career I'll go out in trip with him. We could make more use of him over two and a half miles or two and three-quarters – maybe even three miles. I'm going to be more adventurous with his trip this year.
Willie Mullins on Champ Kiely: "He's improving and looks a nice Graded type. We're aiming him at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle"
Willie Mullins on Champ Kiely: "He's improving and looks a nice Graded type. We're aiming him at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle"
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Champ Kiely
6g Ocovango - Cregg So
Miss M A Masterson
1-11
RPR 140h
He's improving and looks a nice Graded type. We're aiming him at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. He showed plenty of stamina in his Galway maiden hurdle win but also proved he has a gear or two when winning over two miles at Tipperary last time. He's an exciting one for Michael Masterson, who has a lovely team – including Appreciate It and Kilcruit – to look forward to this season.
Dads Lad
7g Eliot - Little Jess
Whitegrass Racing Syndicate
051151
RPR 139c 125h OR 138c 117h
He doesn't owe us anything after doing so much already this season. Having won a nice handicap chase at Cheltenham in October, he'll likely head back there again this month. The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle would look a live possibility as he can mix it between hurdles and fences.
Dark Raven: set to return this term after missing last season
Dark Raven: set to return this term after missing last season
Patrick McCann
Dark Raven
5g Malinas - Mary Wilkie
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
11/
RPR 130b
He won the Tattersalls George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper in good style before missing last season. I think he'll be a nice type for novice hurdling this season.
Dinoblue
5m Doctor Dino - Blue Aster
JP McManus
194-4
RPR 136h OR 134h
I think she'll go chasing as she's a super jumper. If that doesn't work out she can always come back to hurdles with different tactics than we used with her at Cheltenham last season.
Dr Eggman
4g Saint Des Saints - Jahra
Mrs S Ricci
3-
RPR 112b
I'd imagine we'll keep him to bumpers. He ran well when third in the Tattersalls George Mernagh Memorial Bumper on his only start last season behind Icare Desbois.
Dysart Dynamo
6g Westerner - Dysart Dancer
Ms Eleanor Manning
1/111F-5
RPR 153h OR 150h
He had a very hard race at Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle [when falling at the third last] and then wasn't himself at Punchestown. He looks the type who should be a really good novice chaser. His style of jumping, his style of racing, you'd look at him as possibly being a top two-mile novice chaser. He's a big horse so we'll wait for when the ground is right for him to start off this season.
Easy Game
8g Barastraight - Rule Of The Game
Nicholas Peacock
111011
RPR 165c OR 160c
He's done plenty for this season already, winning six of his last seven starts, so we're giving him a break with the aim of bringing him back for the spring festivals. It was a good performance from him last time in Grade 2 company at Gowran.
Echoes In Rain
6m Authorized - Amarantine
Barnane Stud
1/13435-2
RPR 156h OR 150h
She was disappointing at Cheltenham last season [when fifth] in the Mares' Hurdle. I think we may have had too much tack on her then and she might be better off with just an ordinary bridle this season. We'll aim her back at the Mares' Hurdle with different tactics, and different tack.
El Barra
8g Racinger - Oasaka
Mrs S Ricci
13-13U1
RPR 155c OR 154c
We left Listowel disappointed [when unseating in the Kerry National] but he came good at Cork on Sunday when winning a Grade 3 novice chase. We'll have a look at the Drinmore now.
El Fabiolo
5g Spanish Moon - Sainte Mante
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
3/12-1
RPR 155h OR 150h
I think he looks a real Arkle type. We'll get him started wherever we can, then do the normal sort of route to Leopardstown at Christmas, the Dublin Racing Festival and on to Cheltenham hopefully. He could be a lovely novice chaser.
El Fabiolo: looks an Arkle type according to Mullins
El Fabiolo: looks an Arkle type according to Mullins
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Elimay
8m Montmartre - Hyde
JP McManus
1/3211-2
RPR 159c OR 155c
We'll try to get her out before Christmas. We started her off at Aintree last season [when second], with the race having been transferred from Carlisle after the meeting there was abandoned, but this time around there should be a mares' chase in Ireland for her first run back. She did very well over the summer but she always does and is quite heavy. Her aim will be to head back to Cheltenham for the Mares' Chase.
En Beton
8g Network - Nee A Saint Voir
Cheveley Park Stud
52/31/15-
RPR 147c
A big horse who won on his first start over fences last season. I think he'll be going handicap chasing.
Star quality
Energumene
8g Denham Red - Olinight
Tony Bloom
1/1121-1
RPR 179c OR 176c
I think the Hilly Way is our preferred starting point as of now. Whether he'll go to Ascot or not this time I don't know, but a lot of people got a lot of fun out of him heading there to take on Shishkin last season so we'll have a look at it.
Facile Vega: won the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival
Facile Vega: won the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival
Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
Facile Vega
5g Walk In The Park - Quevega
Hammer & Trowel Syndicate
111-1
RPR 141b
Over the past few years I haven't seen a horse that I'm looking forward to as much as Facile Vega. I'm all the time trying to keep him sound and thankfully he's been very sound, very good. He goes novice hurdling and with the turn of foot he showed in bumpers he'd be a Supreme Novices' Hurdle horse. With his pedigree, he can go out to be a Ballymore horse. My aim this year is not to work him too hard as he doesn't need it. David Porter rides him out and I keep telling him not to let me work him too hard. If we just get all this conditioning work into him, he'll be fine, and we'll get him away over hurdles as soon as we get nice ground. His jumping is very good. Like his mother, he's a natural.
Fan De Blues
7g Poliglote - Tire En Touche
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
F9-4311
RPR 149c OR 149c
I brought him back in trip to around two miles and a furlong for his last couple of starts and it's worked perfectly for him. We'll probably have to let him out in trip later on but if we can keep him to close to two miles I will. We've run him over all sorts of trips, but he likes jumping sharp and getting about his business. I think he can pay his way during the winter.
Ferny Hollow
7g Westerner - Mirazur
Cheveley Park Stud
211/1/11-
RPR 168c OR 160c
This will be his second season over fences [after missing the second half of last season with a suspensory ligament injury] and it's a case of so far so good with him. We'll be looking at intermediate chases, those Grade 2s and Grade 3s, until we tackle a Grade 1. I just want to get more experience into him over fences. I'm looking forward to him.
Ferny Hollow: the leading Arkle fancy is among the entries for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown
Ferny Hollow: the leading Arkle fancy is among the entries for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Fighter Allen
7g Vision D'Etat - Reaction
C Jones
0/7241-F4
RPR 148c OR 144c
I was disappointed with his run at Down Royal on Saturday, as his work had been good, but Paul [Townend] just said that the horse blew up on his first start back and needed the run. I might want to go up in trip with him. His homework is good enough to suggest he could win a nice race this season.
Dark horse
Flame Bearer
7g Fame And Glory - Banba
Linda Mulcahy & Mary Wolridge
53111-2
RPR 149h OR 148h
A nice new recruit from Pat Doyle. He was very good over hurdles in the second half of last season. He's a fine, big chasing type and has plenty of stamina to win over longer trips. I'd imagine with his style of racing we'll probably be aiming him at shorter trips and see how things go. He's very forward-going and I can see why Jack Doyle was so keen to cover him up in pockets in his races last season – it was the best way to settle him. He wants to get on with his job at home and can be difficult enough to ride, but I hope fences will help settle him down.
Franco De Port
7g Coastal Path - Ruth
Bruton Street V
7240-34
RPR 163c OR 157c
He goes for the Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on November 13. He ran well to finish third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May so we're trying some French targets with him this season, with the hope of getting back to Paris for the same race next year.
Fun Fun Fun
4f Martaline - Ocean Breeze
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
1
RPR 110b
It was a great achievement for Patrick when he rode her to win a bumper at Sligo given he was also the winning owner and breeder. Considering she's got a nice pedigree, being out of an unraced half-sister to Yorkhill, and the manner of her debut win, she could be a Graded type. She's probably one we'll be aiming for the Grade 2 mares' bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Gaelic Warrior
4g Maxios - Game Of Legs
Mrs S Ricci
6/332-
RPR 132h
He's in good shape and looks a real top-notch novice hurdler this season. Looking at him, you'd say he'd stay two and a half miles easily, but I think he's sharp enough for two miles. Looking at the size of him, I'd like a good cut in the ground before running him – he's definitely grown and matured over the summer.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
6g Saint Des Saints - Athena Du Mesnil
Mrs J Donnelly
133333-
RPR 161c OR 156c
He's still a maiden over fences so we'll be looking at staying novice chases. I'm very happy with him, he's doing everything right. I'd imagine Patrick will probably be trying to get him pointed towards the National Hunt Chase, he would look that sort of horse. The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase is there too.
Star quality
Galopin Des Champs
6g Timos - Manon Des Champs
Mrs Audrey Turley
1/111F1-
RPR 177c OR 172c
He looks the part and is doing everything right at home. We had one little setback a few weeks ago but he's back on track again. He's a big horse but doesn't look it – I love that about horses like him. He's so well proportioned and light on his feet. I never had a worry about the Gold Cup distance for him. I'd be fairly worried about Allaho getting the trip, but I'm not at all worried about Galopin Des Champs. I have that sort of faith in him. I'd like to start him off in the John Durkan but it's quite near to Christmas this year on December 11. We didn't run until Christmas last year when he went to Leopardstown but I'd like to run him in early December and then go to Leopardstown at Christmas, or Tramore on New Year's Day.
Galopin Des Champs: Willie Mullins has sights set on the Cheltenham Gold Cup with his chasing star
Galopin Des Champs: Willie Mullins has sights set on the Cheltenham Gold Cup with his chasing star
Patrick McCann
Gauloise
6m Samum - Sans Histoire
Kenneth Alexander
1302/15-
RPR 144h OR 138h
She's back in training, looking good and strong. She had some smart form as a novice over hurdles and had only one run last season. I'd imagine she'll now go chasing.
Gentleman De Mee
6g Saint Des Saints - Koeur De Mee
JP McManus
752111-
RPR 167c OR 164c
I don't know if I have time to get a run into him before the Tingle Creek but Sandown is his early-season aim. I think he'll go down that two-mile route to Cheltenham. Later in the season, connections seem to favour Aintree – they like to have a nice team going there – so he could go to either of those two meetings.
Grangeclare West
6g Presenting - Hayabusa
Cheveley Park Stud
1-
RPR 115b
We didn't get to run him after winning a bumper on his first start for us at Punchestown. Even though he's a six-year-old turning seven, we'll look to campaign him over hurdles. I think he could be an outstanding staying novice hurdler this season.
Grangeclare West: bought for £430,000 after winning on his point-to-point debut for Denis Murphy
Grangeclare West: bought for £430,000 after winning on his point-to-point debut for Denis Murphy
Patrick McCann
Ha D'Or
5g Nidor - Rosewort
Mrs S Ricci
5/2132-2
RPR 144h OR 138h
He showed some good form over hurdles last season. I think we'll probably go novice chasing with him.
Haut En Couleurs
5g Saint Des Saints - Sanouva
Mrs J Donnelly
3/31F6-5
RPR 155c OR 149c
We've been campaigning him at around two miles but I wonder if I should be going up in trip with him. He can be hard on himself but still may need to try longer distances to be seen at his best.
Hercule Du Seuil
5g Saddler Maker - Cibelle Du Seuil
JP McManus
2/8-1
RPR 119h
He won well at Tipperary in a maiden hurdle last month. I think he could go for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Hunters Yarn
5g Fame And Glory - Full Of Birds
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
31/411-
RPR 116h
He did well back in bumpers last season after we had given him one run over hurdles earlier in the winter. I think the plan is for him to go back novice hurdling.
Icare Allen: Grade 3-winning juvenile hurdler last season for JP McManus
Icare Allen: Grade 3-winning juvenile hurdler last season for JP McManus
Patrick McCann
Icare Allen
4g Cokoriko - Coeur D'Allen
JP McManus
115143-
RPR 137h OR 140h
He had some nice runs as a juvenile hurdler last season and I'm very happy with him. The Fishery Lane Hurdle [on November 12] at Naas is a possible starting point for him.
Icare Desbois
4g Triple Threat - Sologne
N D Kennelly
1-
RPR 114b
We're looking forward to him over hurdles this season. Based on what he showed us when winning the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Bumper at Fairyhouse last season on his debut, he could be one for the minimum trip.
Il Etait Temps
4g Jukebox Jury - Une Des Sources
Barnane Stud
5/235-4
RPR 140h OR 137h
He looked to be very green and free at times last season but he gained a lot of experience in the process, taking on top-class horses in the juvenile hurdling division. He could be a top novice hurdler this season. I think he has plenty of speed to win over two miles.
Impulsive Dancer
4g Dragon Pulse - Viennese Whirl
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
11-
RPR 120b
I think he likes a real good dig in the ground but has a pedigree to be sharp over two miles. He'll be sent over hurdles this season.
Impulsive Dancer: unbeaten in two starts, including when winning the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion Bumper at Limerick
Impulsive Dancer: unbeaten in two starts, including when winning the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion Bumper at Limerick
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
James Du Berlais
6g Muhtathir - King's Daughter
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
12129/2-
RPR 158h OR 156h
A hugely exciting horse who came to us from France. We didn't run him last season after a small injury but he looks like he could be one of our top staying novice chasers. We'll keep an eye on the ground but I'd imagine it will probably be well into November before I start these novice chasers off.
James's Gate
5g Shantou - Annie May
Sean & Bernardine Mulryan
13-4
RPR 133b
He hasn't arrived back yet and I'm not sure the word is good on him. I think he might miss the season.
Jungle Boogie
8g Gold Well - A Better Excuse
Malcolm C Denmark
11/1-
RPR 147c OR 148c
He looked very impressive when winning on his only start over fences in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. He's a huge horse with a huge engine. He's hard to keep right but we'll look for those Grade 2s and Grade 3s, races for second-season chasers. Maybe we'll stay away from the top grade until he gets a few runs under his belt. He could be anything going to Cheltenham.
Kemboy
10g Voix Du Nord - Vitora
Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate
3-46222
RPR 174c OR 158c
I was absolutely delighted with his run at Down Royal on Saturday when runner-up to Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase. He jumped a bit big early on but warmed to his task as he got going and put in a tremendous run. I imagine he will go to Leopardstown now for the Savills Chase, I doubt we will run before then. I was just very pleased with everything he did out there in conditions which did not really suit him.
Willie Mullins on Kilcruit: "He was a little disappointing last season but looks to be back to his best at home"
Willie Mullins on Kilcruit: "He was a little disappointing last season but looks to be back to his best at home"
Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
Kilcruit
7g Stowaway - Not Broke Yet
Miss M A Masterson
12313-4
RPR 147h OR 145h
I'm very happy with him and we're going chasing this season. He was a little disappointing last season but looks to be back to his best at home.
Klassical Dream
8g Dream Well - Klassical Way
Mrs Joanne Coleman
1145-12
RPR 168h OR 163h
I've had it in my head all the time to stay hurdling but in the last few weeks I've been thinking maybe we should go chasing with him. We're looking at the staying hurdle picture and the reason we might stay over hurdles is that it looks quiet enough, I think. He'd certainly be in the top three there, but he's a fine horse and jumps very well. He had an issue with his back a few years ago and that was one of the reasons why he stayed over hurdles then. He schooled very well over fences last season and we were very happy with him but he got a niggle when he was due to go chasing, which led us to go for the Stayers' Hurdle. I haven't fully made up my mind on him yet. I might give him another pop over fences and think about it.
Lecky Watson
4g Valirann - Anno Whyte
Slaneyvillle Syndicate
2-
RPR 112b
He didn't get the bounce of the ball when running very well behind Icare Desbois at Fairyhouse on his debut in April. I think he's one to follow along the bumper trail this season.
Lisnagar Fortune: impressed on his sole start when winning a bumper at the Punchestown festival
Lisnagar Fortune: impressed on his sole start when winning a bumper at the Punchestown festival
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Lisnagar Fortune
4g Soldier Of Fortune - Asta Belle
Denis Fitzgerald
1
RPR 118b
He gave a great account when winning on his only start in a bumper at the Punchestown festival. He goes hurdling and with his pedigree, being a half-brother to Stayers' Hurdle winner Lisnagar Oscar, he looks a novice capable of tackling trips of two and a half miles and upwards.
Lot Of Joy
4f Camelot - Miss Macnamara
Over The Sticks Syndicate
2
I was happy enough with her first start over hurdles when second at Cork on Sunday. I was disappointed not to win but I think she got beaten by a very nice type in Inothewayurthinkin. She should prove her worth later on this season. I'll try to handpick her races with a view to ending up in the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham or the Grade 1 equivalent at Fairyhouse. The latter should be her main target.
Madmansgame
5g Blue Bresil - Grainne Ni Maille
Dr S P Fitzgerald
110-5
RPR 117b
He showed ability in bumpers last season and looks an Albert Bartlett type. However, I think ultimately he'll be a chaser in time.
Mercurey
4g Muhtathir - Mangoun
Mrs S Ricci
13-
RPR 120b
He needs to become an awful lot more furnished as a tall horse but he's a nice type. He won his bumper well at Gowran before probably proving a little weak on his next start at Limerick in Listed company. He'll go novice hurdling.
Minella Cocooner
6g Flemensfirth - Askanna
David Bobbett
12112-2
RPR 154h OR 147h
Novice chasing is the plan for him this season. I think I'll be putting him somewhere in the two-and-a-half-mile bracket. He was very consistent last season and got his Grade 1 win at the Dublin Festival before running well at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Minella Cocooner (left): finished second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Minella Cocooner (left): finished second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Monkfish
8g Stowaway - Martovic
Mrs S Ricci
1/1111/2-
RPR 170c OR 163c
He's back in training and I'm hoping I'll get him out this season but it's looking like that will be the second half of the campaign, or even the last quarter of it. If I can get him ready for Cheltenham, well and good, but I think a more realistic option might be somewhere after that. I'm going to go very steady with him – he hasn't made the type of recovery we were hoping for – so it will be going slow with him and seeing what happens.
Nikini
5m Sea Moon - Back Log
Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate
163-4112
RPR 128h
She ran very well when runner-up at Down Royal on Friday after doing everything the hard way. I think with a very small change in tactics she could be up to winning a Listed mares' race.
No Risk No Fun
5g No Risk At All - Incorrigible
Walters Plant Hire Ltd
111
RPR 125h
He looked a very exciting novice hurdling prospect when winning at Listowel in September but unfortunately he's going to miss the rest of the season due to an injury.
O'Moore Park
5g Walk In The Park - Glor Na Gaoithe
Mrs S Ricci
22-3
RPR 110b
He'll go novice hurdling, though I imagine he'll be more of a chaser down the road. He's been placed in a few bumpers and is probably a shade unlucky not to have won one.
Pink In The Park
5m Walk In The Park - Pink Hat
Roaringwater Syndicate
152-51
RPR 115b
She's working well at home and has been jumping well too. I don't think she's a real mid-winter filly, but she'll be campaigned where there's nice ground over the winter and looks smart. We'll be aiming her for the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham.
Dark horse
Quais De Paris
4g Masked Marvel - Liberalis
Mrs S Ricci
3-
RPR 118h
I think this is a lovely horse. He finished third on his only start in France over hurdles but will run in bumpers this season.
Ramillies
7g Shantou - Mrs Wallensky
Mrs J Donnelly
8/6316-6
RPR 139h OR 136h
He seems to have improved and I think he'll progress for jumping fences as well. He probably wants nice ground, rather than heavy winter conditions, but he's another who could go well in our staying novice chasing division.
Recite A Prayer
7g Recital - Old Madam
The Turner Family
1-21023
RPR 144 OR 141
He ran another good race when third in the Cork Grand National and is stringing together some very consistent pieces of form. I think he could win a nice feature race before the end of the season.
Recite A Prayer: establishing himself as a useful staying handicap chaser
Recite A Prayer: establishing himself as a useful staying handicap chaser
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Redemption Day
5g Blue Bresil - Cutielilou
Tim O'Driscoll
10-2
RPR 140b
He ran his heart out against Facile Vega on his last start at the Punchestown festival but unfortunately picked up a tendon injury and it looks like he will be out for the season.
Royal Rendezvous
10g King's Theatre - Novacella
Dr S P Fitzgerald
1112P-1
RPR 165c OR 165c
He's a keen-going type who we've generally kept to mid-range trips, but I've been very happy with his last couple of runs and am tempted to step him up in trip this season. He takes a bit of riding, but if he relaxed more with age – as I think he should – we could put him in top races over a longer distance. We'll be experimenting with him a little this season. It was a good performance from him to win a handicap chase at the Punchestown festival last time when giving away plenty of weight.
Saint Sam
5g Saint Des Saints - Ladeka
Edward Ware
2/513U-6
RPR 153c OR 152c
An interesting type. He's very keen over his fences and isn't the biggest horse. I could go back over hurdles with him for a few runs and see what happens. Even though he's keen, I wouldn't mind trying him over a longer trip and trying to get him to settle under a quieter ride.
Saint Sam: got the better of Thedevilscoachman when winning a Fairyhouse beginners' chase in January
Saint Sam: got the better of Thedevilscoachman when winning a Fairyhouse beginners' chase in January
CAROLINE NORRIS
Saldier
8g Soldier Hollow - Salve Evita
Mrs S Ricci
8115P6-
RPR 161h OR 161h
He's coming back to us and could start his season in the Morgiana Hurdle, though we may also look at the Hatton's Grace for him. He's a little behind some of the others but I'm going to get tough on him over the coming weeks. Hopefully he'll be another for those Grade 1 and Grade 2 races, and we might go a longer trip than previously with him.
Saylavee
5m Shantou - Mae's Choice
Ecurie Madame Lynne Maclennan
24-1115
RPR 119h
She isn't a big chasing mare but looks a fine novice hurdling prospect for the season. I was a bit disappointed with her when fifth in a Grade 3 mares' novice hurdle at Down Royal on Friday, but things didn't happen right for her on the day. I think she's up to Listed class and hope she'll prove me right.
Seabank Bistro
5g Walk In The Park - Sigh Of Relief
Jodmart Construction Ltd
14-6
RPR 130b
A lovely, tall horse who will be best suited over fences in time. He'd look one for the staying division over hurdles. He's got a nice blend of speed and stamina in his pedigree.
Seabank Bistro: finished fourth to Facile Vega in last season's Weatherbys Champion Bumper after previously winning a Naas bumper on debut
Seabank Bistro: finished fourth to Facile Vega in last season's Weatherbys Champion Bumper after previously winning a Naas bumper on debut
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Shanbally Kid
5g Presenting - Kalanisi's Lady
Gigginstown House Stud
01-
RPR 114b
He beat Polo Lounge in a bumper at Clonmel for Richard O'Brien last season. He'll go novice hurdling and it looks like he'll make up into a staying type.
Sharjah
9g Doctor Dino - Saaryeh
Mrs S Ricci
132/211-
RPR 168h OR 162h
His main aim this season will be the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. He was a bit later than the others coming back in but I'm going to step up his training and we'll try to get him ready to start back in the Morgiana Hurdle. Hopefully he might get a spin in the Champion Hurdle as well.
Sir Gerhard
7g Jeremy - Faanan Aldaar
Cheveley Park Stud
1/3111-3
RPR 157h OR 155h
When he won his maiden hurdle I thought he shaped like a Champion Hurdle horse, though he's won a point-to-point so could go novice chasing. I was a little disappointed with some of his runs over hurdles as he missed some of them. At the start of the season I thought I was going novice chasing, but the more I look at the picture the more I'm tempted to stay hurdling. I've got to have a chat with his owners to get their views. There are pros and cons and my team are split on chasing or hurdling. I haven't ruled him out of a Champion Hurdle bid but we'll see.
Sir Gerhard: unstoppable in last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
Sir Gerhard: unstoppable in last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Spanish Harlem
4g Spanish Moon - Souverainete
Dr S P Fitzgerald
1
RPR 111h
A beautiful-looking type we bought at Arqana. He won a hurdle race at Auteuil very well on his first start in June and looks a real chaser in the making. He could be a middle-distance or staying novice hurdler.
Special Cadeau
4g Nathaniel - Speciosa
Clipper Logistics Group Ltd
1-
RPR 100b
A nice bumper type out of a 1,000 Guineas winner. He won a bumper on his only start in the UK last November. He's doing everything right at home and could run in November or December.
State Man
5g Doctor Dino - Arret Station
Mrs J Donnelly
2/F11-1
RPR 156h OR 159h
We thought he'd be a nice novice chaser. He's one of those horses we're in two minds about in terms of chasing or hurdling. He's third or fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle and it's easier to keep him sound for that, and his family tend to improve with age. We'll have to speak with connections. I had him and Sir Gerhard pencilled in as novice chasers at the start of the season, but as we near our kick-off point I'm beginning to question whether we should look at the Champion Hurdle for them. I think he's got the quality to be a Champion Hurdle horse. Whether he'll be good enough to win it I'm not sure, but I don't think we've seen the best of him at all.
State Man: was an impressive winner of the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle before winning in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown festival
State Man: was an impressive winner of the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle before winning in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown festival
Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
Stattler
7g Stowaway - Our Honey
R A Bartlett
34/3111-
RPR 164c OR 158c
He maybe wouldn't spring to mind as a Gold Cup horse but I'm going to have that at his aim. He'd be a good second-string in the race for Ronnie Bartlett, who has Galvin, and we know he goes well at the track. He jumps and stays. We'll be aiming along the Gold Cup route but where he ends up, who knows? He could be a Grand National horse.
Tenzing
5g Milan - Francesa
C Jones
7231-
RPR 110h
He did it nicely when winning a maiden hurdle on his last start in the spring at Cork. The plan is for him to go novice chasing.
The Nice Guy
7g Fame And Glory - Kilbarry Beauty
Malcolm C Denmark
1111-1
RPR 156h OR 153h
Unfortunately he's out for the season. He has a problem behind, which is going to take a couple of months to come right. It's a big disappointment to myself and Malcolm Denmark but I don't think the horse owes us anything. If he has to take the season off, so be it.
Tornado Flyer: caused 28-1 upset when running out a nine-length winner of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase last Christmas
Tornado Flyer: caused 28-1 upset when running out a nine-length winner of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase last Christmas
Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Tornado Flyer
9g Flemensfirth - Mucho Macabi
T F P Partnership
3/51P-77
RPR 172c OR 163c
He started off in the John Durkan last season but it might just be a bit close to Christmas this year. I'd imagine he'll go for the King George at Kempton again after winning the race last year before heading on to Cheltenham.
Star quality
Vauban
4g Galiway - Waldfest
Mrs S Ricci
211-1
RPR 150h OR 156h
We could see him at Naas in the Fishery Lane Hurdle [on November 12]. He'd have penalties there but it would look the obvious starting point for him. He'll also get an entry for the Morgiana, which will be a tougher race, but I could find out where we're going against the older horses there. It's always tough coming into the senior hurdling ranks to start off in a race like the Morgiana, but if we think he's a Champion Hurdle horse then maybe that's where we should go.
Walk In The Brise
5m Walk In The Park - Brise Vendeenne
Syders & Burkes Partnership
22-214
RPR 109b
She's very well related, being out of a half-sister to Vroum Vroum Mag. I was disappointed she got beaten at Cork on Sunday over hurdles but it looked like she needed the run and will improve from that.
Whatdeawant: set to be campaigned over fences this season
Whatdeawant: set to be campaigned over fences this season
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Whatdeawant
6g Aizavoski - Hidden Reserve
Sean & Bernardine Mulryan
13/153-
RPR 139h OR 141h
We've been happy with his jumping and he could be one for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. Ronnie O'Leary [who bought him as a three-year-old] would have done plenty of schooling with him as a youngster in case he was going down the point-to-point road.
Young talent
Lossiemouth, a three-year-old filly by Great Pretender out of Mariner's Light, won over hurdles at Auteuil in April and looks a really nice recruit. I'm very happy with how she's progressed since coming over.
I think Chapeau De Soleil, by Soldier Of Fortune and out of On Line Tara, could work into a top-class bumper horse. We bought him after winning a point-to-point for Colin Bowe last May. Cuta Des As, a gelding by It's Gino out of Negresse De Cuta, looks a smart point-to-point acquisition and he'll be campaigned in bumpers.
Castlebawn North, a half-brother to Castlebawn West by Califet, is another horse we're looking forward to this season. He'll start off in a bumper. An Almanzor gelding named Daddy Long Legs, out of Private Eye, is a nice acquisition from France and jumps very well. I might give him a couple of runs later in the season but I don't think I'll want him out too early. He's on a little break if he comes in around Christmas that might be fine, but he's taken naturally to hurdles and we're looking forward to him when he gets out.
Zarak The Brave, by Zarak and out of Tempo Royale, is another who is schooling well. He’s declared for a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Tuesday and looks a nice three-year-old. He'll probably come out around Christmas, all being well. He looks a nice three-year-old. The Gunner Yeats, a gelding by Yeats out of Caitlin Brook, missed a good bit of last season but is back in full training now. He looks a very nice type who turns six in the new year. He'll probably be a bumper horse.
Tekao is a lovely horse we got from France. By Doctor Dino and out of Texaloula, he's a real hurdler in the making - a compact type who is unlikely to go chasing. He could start off around Christmas. Absurde, a Fastnet Rock gelding out of Incroyable, is on a break at the minute and we'll bring him back later in the season, or maybe even next season. He was quite racey looking when we got him off the Flat in France.
Two for the Tracker
I'm looking forward to seeing Il Etait Temps in the novice hurdling division, having shown promise as a juvenile last season in good company.
As for a novice chaser to watch, El Fabiolo is one I've always liked and I hope he can have a good season over fences.
Expert view
You don't need me to tell you that Closutton is sprinkled with more stardust than ever before right now.
Despite being without Al Boum Photo, Melon and Concertista (all retired) and The Nice Guy, Redemption Day and James's Gate (all injured) for the full season, as well as Monkfish for at least half of it, the stable is still responsible for a staggering 13 favourites or joint-favourites at the 2023 Cheltenham.
That, ladies and gentleman, is what we call strength in depth.
Willie Mullins seems to be speaking a different language to his usual dialect when it comes to Facile Vega.
"Over the past few years I haven't seen a horse that I'm looking forward to as much." That is not a sentence we have heard from the maestro before.
Facile Vega is only 2-1 across the board to provide Mullins with a record-extending eighth win in the Supreme Novices'. There is no juice in that price considering we are over four months away from the race.
The same cannot be said of Appreciate It in the Arkle, however. He's a big brute and built for fences and I cannot help thinking that if he didn't run in the Champion Hurdle last season, he would be 5-1 rather than 10-1 for the Arkle.
He strikes me as the most exciting novice chaser in the Mullins yard and it wouldn't surprise me to see him go through the season unbeaten.
Talk of Sir Gerhard and State Man staying over hurdles make that 10-1 look even more appetising. I know El Fabiolo could go down the Arkle path, but I think Appreciate It has more natural ability than he does.
Others who catch the eye in festival markets are Gaelic Warrior at 14-1 for the Ballymore and Gaillard Du Mesnil at 4-1 for the National Hunt Chase.
The Boodles runner-up looked to be crying out for further when just touched off by Brazil, while Gaillard Du Mesnil has National Hunt Chase winner written all over him and he is already rated 3lb higher than Stattler was going into that race last year.
There were 20 years in between Mullins' two King George winners, but back-to-back victories in the Kempton showpiece appear on the cards now that Allaho has been pointed in that direction. If he gets there in one piece 6-4 could look a massive price. He's likely to be odds-on come the day.
Mullins won 43 bumpers in Ireland last season so expect the novice hurdlers to carry all before them over the next few months. I loved what I saw from Lossiemouth at Auteuil in April and she could be anything. That 'anything' could include being a Triumph Hurdle winner.
The stable has already sent out 81 winners and we're only in early November, so it will be interesting to see how close Mullins gets to the 2017-18 score of 212. Could he even surpass it? He just might, you know.
