Mullins Horses 2014-15

[mayo]

Not sure why there is a dilemma

RUBY in PP blog

It looks like Faugheen will be on the bus to Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle on December 26 to join Champagne Fever’s King George VI Chase assault.

But Vautour has also been pencilled in for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on the same day. A lot can happen between now and then – but it’s a dilemma.

Clearly, I can’t be in two places at once so we’re going to have to make a call closer the time. Mrs Susannah Ricchi owns them all so it’s a decision that doesn’t have to be made until the last minute.


didnt have BB in Ryanair either

Boston Bob never recovered from the mistake when Bailey Green fell. He seemed to lose his confidence and I was always struggling after that. He was knocked out of rhythm and never really got going again although I wouldn’t take anything away from the winner who could be a big player in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next March.

[mayo]

Boston Bob and On His Own are both in line to represent Willie Mullins in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown as the champion trainer bids to win one of the Festive period's biggest prizes for the first time.

The three-mile highlight on 28 December is one of the few big races on home soil to have so far eluded the master of Closutton.

Boston Bob, a winner at Aintree and Punchestown last spring, disappointed on his return to action at Down Royal, but fared better when runner-up to Don Cossack in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

The Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned On His Own, so narrowly denied in a controversial finish to last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, has failed to replicate that form since at either Punchestown in April or Down Royal in November.

"Boston Bob and On His Own will hopefully be fine for the Lexus," said Mullins.

The pair look set to feature in a typically strong Mullins party heading for Leopardstown's four-day feast.

Hugely impressive Fairyhouse winner Kalkir, a leading fancy for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, will line up in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle on St Stephen’s Day.

Mullins has a numerically strong hand in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle the following day with nine of the 17 horses still in contention following the latest forfeit stage.

Royal Bond Novice Hurdle winner Nichols Canyon is set to head the team as he goes in search of another Grade One victory.

"Nichols Canyon will run in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, but we still have a few in that and we'll see what goes with him," said the trainer.

"I imagine Shaneshill will miss Christmas, having run the other day (at Navan)."

Douvan and Tell Us More, two more leading Cheltenham Festival fancies, are among Mullins' other entries in that race, but they could go elsewhere in the near future.

"I'd like to keep Douvan and Tell Us More separate, so I'll chat to the owners and see what they want to do," he said.

"That might mean waiting a week or two, but there's races in Ireland and the Challow Hurdle at Newbury and the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown."

Briar Hill has not been seen since suffering a nasty fall when favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but is set for an imminent return in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on 28 December.

Mullins said: "Briar Hill hasn't fired since fracturing his cheekbone at Cheltenham, but he will run in three-miler at Leopardstown (Christmas Hurdle). In his defence, he never does fire at home, so we'll probably let him run and see what he does."

Drinmore Novice Chase winner Valseur Lido has Christmas entries, but Mullins said: "I'd prefer to give him a longer break, although he is still in and could run."

The trainer also gave updates on a few of his other stable stars, including Pont Alexandre, who has been out of action since finishing third to The New One in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2013.

"Pont Alexandre is back doing fast work and apart from being sluggish in his work, he's doing well and should run around 1 February," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to him as he was very good and still is very good, I hope.

"Back In Focus (off since April 2013) might be back at the end of January or early February.

"Vroum Vroum Mag will probably go for a mares race at Thurles (mid January) that's worth €50,000."

One horse still out of action is 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs.

The eight-year-old missed the blue riband last season through injury and will not be back for this year's renewal after suffering another setback.

Mullins said: "Sir Des Champs has had a separate injury now. He hurt his pastern and needs a month's box rest. If we aim for Punchestown (Festival), we might make that. If not, we'll put him away for the year."

[johnno]

Lot of hurdlers in his Festival winners


# Year Horse Race Jockey
33 2014 Don Poli Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle MP Fogarty
32 2014 Faugheen Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
31 2014 Quevega OLBG (David Nicholson) Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
30 2014 Vautour Supreme Novice Hurdle Ruby Walsh
29 2013 Champagne Fever Supreme Novice Hurdle Ruby Walsh
28 2013 Hurricane Fly Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) Ruby Walsh
27 2013 Quevega David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
26 2013 Back In Focus John Oaksey NH Chase Patrick Mullins
25 2013 Briar Hill Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Ruby Walsh
24 2012 Champagne Fever Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Patrick Mullins
23 2012 Quevega David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
22 2012 Sir Des Champs Jewson Novices' Chase (Grade 2) Davy Russell
21 2011 Hurricane Fly Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) Ruby Walsh
20 2011 Quevega David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
19 2011 Sir Des Champs Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Davy Russell
18 2011 Final Approach Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Ruby Walsh
17 2010 Quevega David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
16 2010 Thousand Stars Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (grade 3) Katie Walsh
15 2009 Quevega David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
14 2009 Cooldine RSA Chase Ruby Walsh
13 2009 Mikael D'Haguenet Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Ruby Walsh
12 2008 Cousin Vinny Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Patrick Mullins
11 2008 Fiveforthree Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle (grade 1) Ruby Walsh
10 2007 Ebaziyan Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle (grade 1) Davy Condon
9 2005 Missed That Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Ruby Walsh
8 2004 Rule Supreme Royal & Sun Alliance Chase David Casey
7 2002 Scolardy JCB Triumph Hurdle (Class A) (Grade 1) C F Swan
6 2000 Joe Cullen Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 C F Swan
5 1998 Alexander Banquet Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Ruby Walsh
4 1998 Florida Pearl Royal & Sun Alliance Chase Richard Dunwoody
3 1997 Florida Pearl Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 Richard Dunwoody
2 1996 Wither Or Witch Weatherbys Champion Bumper Grade 1 W.P.Mullins
1 1995 Tourist Attraction Citroen Supreme Novices' Hurdle Mark Dwyer

[mayo]

^ and bumper winners

Thurles preview

Argentino (Bryan Cooper) runs in the 2 mile maiden hurdle. He was very disappointing on his first run for us at Navan last month and we are hoping that first-time cheekpieces might help him concentrate today. He works well at home but might be best watched until he shows improvement on the track. We have two runners in the 2m 6f novice hurdle.

Miles an (Bryan Cooper) won his maiden hurdle at Navan and hopefully he will show improvementfrom that run here. He is a good strong horse so he should handle this heavy ground. Measureofmydreams (Ruby) could finish only third of three at Limerick last time but that turned out to be a much better race than we had thought. He looks like he will handle very heavy ground but his form is not as good as Milsean’s. Champagne Fever (Ruby) goes for the grade two chase over 2m 4f. We are bringing him back quicker than normal following his run inthe King George at Christmas but with the small field here we thought we would let him take his chance. He likes testing ground and runs well at thistime of year. We hope that dropping back in trip will be to his advantage.Vroum Vroum Mag (Ruby) goes for the 2m 4f mares’ novice chase. She has runtwice for us and has been very good on each occasion. She will handle theground and hopefully she will continue her winning run here. Prince De Beauchene (Patrick) runs in the 3 mile hunters’ chase. He will probably be a short price here and is entitled to win on his best form. However, even though he is in very good form at home, these testing conditions have to be amajor co

[Morning Glory]

Good stuff Mayo. Where did you get that ?

[Old Vic]

^ and bumper winners

Thurles preview

Argentino (Bryan Cooper) runs in the 2 mile maiden hurdle. He was very disappointing on his first run for us at Navan last month and we are hoping that first-time cheekpieces might help him concentrate today. He works well at home but might be best watched until he shows improvement on the track. We have two runners in the 2m 6f novice hurdle.

Miles an (Bryan Cooper) won his maiden hurdle at Navan and hopefully he will show improvementfrom that run here. He is a good strong horse so he should handle this heavy ground. Measureofmydreams (Ruby) could finish only third of three at Limerick last time but that turned out to be a much better race than we had thought. He looks like he will handle very heavy ground but his form is not as good as Milsean’s. Champagne Fever (Ruby) goes for the grade two chase over 2m 4f. We are bringing him back quicker than normal following his run inthe King George at Christmas but with the small field here we thought we would let him take his chance. He likes testing ground and runs well at thistime of year. We hope that dropping back in trip will be to his advantage.Vroum Vroum Mag (Ruby) goes for the 2m 4f mares’ novice chase. She has runtwice for us and has been very good on each occasion. She will handle theground and hopefully she will continue her winning run here. Prince De Beauchene (Patrick) runs in the 3 mile hunters’ chase. He will probably be a short price here and is entitled to win on his best form. However, even though he is in very good form at home, these testing conditions have to be amajor co

Thank you Willie

[Hoof]

Shouldnt give a toss but getting pissed off by all these pricks on Twitter and Betfair carving up the novice chases between Willie Mullins and Nicholls horses. LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO.

It's like will the Gigginstown Willie horse win or the Ricci horse win.

[Morning Glory]

I like him on chasers too - was brilliant on RtR in the Lexus. Important for y job he is in. The Olearys hurdlers as just chasers in progress.

[Old Vic]

Ruby

Ruby’s Best Bets
Nap: Potters Point 4.10 Naas
Each-Way Double: Dogora 2.20 Leopardstown
Clondaw Warrior 2.50 Leopardstown

I head to Ascot today for just one ride, Twinlight, in the 3.00, where we will cross swords with the mighty Sprinter Sacre.

It is hardly the busiest of days, although it is set to start quite early with an appearance on Channel 4’s Morning Line, alongside one AP McCoy.

To be on time for the assignnment, I flew out of Dublin last night into Heathrow, hardly a new experience.

Heading to Ascot, rather than staying at home at Naas, was an easy enough decision. The Ascot contest is the biggest race of the day, a Grade 1, and it’s not as if I’m leaving behind a couple of 4-7 shots!

Anyway, Ascot completely revolves around Sprinter Sacre, a quite brilliant horse on his day. But he will, obviously, arrive under a bit of a cloud and following an absence of 386 days.

Twinlight will handle the soft ground and I just hope the same horse that was so impressive for Paul Townend at Leopardstown at Christmas shows up now. That isn’t always the case and he has thrown in the odd poor effort in the past.

Dodging Bullets wears a tongue tie, so you would think that the soft surface might not prove ideal for him. Somersby is not getting any younger, while it is hard to make a case for Grey Gold.

That brings us back to Sprinter Sacre and if he brings his A-game then we will all be running for places.

An on-song Twinlight is well capable of delivering, but the vibes are good about Sprinter Sacre, having spoken to Barry Geraghty at Fairyhouse last Sunday.

Willie Mullins runs three horses at Naas and they all have a real life, beginning with Glens Melody in a Grade 3 hurdle.

She is flying at home right now and seems to have improved plenty for her good run behind Lieutenant Colonel at Leopardstown.

But this is an intriguing heat and I’m not sure if she will be good enough to beat Edward O’Grady’s Kitten Rock.

I rode him to win at Naas two runs back and really liked the horse. For once, I’m going to sit on the fence when it comes to this battle.

Val De Ferbet is next up for Willie in a Grade 2 novice chase. I rode him when he made a winning debut over fences at Fairyhouse.

This is altogether a different test, but he did jump like an old hand then and will tell us a lot more about him than we know now.

Willie’s final runner is Potters Point in the bumper and I think he will win. Second in his only point-to-point, he is a fine big horse, who goes particularly well.

I am back in Ireland tomorrow, at Leopardstown, and kick away on a horse called Salsa Sensation for my dad in a maiden hurdle.

I know he won a point-to-point, but, quite honestly, that is very much the limit of my knowlege regarding the six-year-old.

After that it is down to real business and a date with one of my favourite horses, Vautour, in a Grade 2 novice chase.

The world and its mother knows that he ran a shocker at Leopardstown and, if there is an explanation for that effort, then I don’t know what it is.

What I do know is I sat on Vautour during the week and he is bombing. He never turned up the last day, but I’m especially looking forward to getting him right back on track.

I’m on Dogora in a valuable and very competitive handicap chase and am expecting a big run. I’m aware his recent form figures don’t make great reading, but he did jump beautifully in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown, until falling.

Of course, it is difficult to be confident in a race of this nature, but I believe there is a big pot in Dogora.

If that race has an open appearance then it is nothing compared to the 25-runner Boylesports Handicap Hurdle. If I had a choice between Lucky Bridle and Clondaw Warrior and went with the latter, after the weights were raised.

It will be my first time riding Clondaw Warrior in public and he is, of course, part-owned by my wife, Gillian. A horse with plenty of ability, and a winner of the November Handicap on the flat around here, he disappointed us in the Ladbroke at Ascot last time, so we are hoping for much better this time.

Tony Martin has called on me for Mydor in a handicap hurdle and, despite going up 8lbs for winning at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, he gets in with a nice weight.

Willie runs his first four-year-old of the season, Balko Des Flos, in the bumper. Balko shapes more like a stayer than a speed horse and it will be interesting to see how he goes.

Ruby’s Comment: True lovers of the National Hunt game

I take my hat off to those who were at Thurles on Thursday. I exclude us jockeys, we were paid to be there. It was as cold and miserable a day as I have ever been out and those punters who turned up have to be regarded as true lovers of the National Hunt game.

[mayo]

Mullins website




Twinlight (Ruby) goes for the 2m 1f Grade 1 Chase. He disappointed us at Cork and then surprised us when winning at Leopardstowm. We trieddifferent riding tactics at Leopardstown and maybe that is the key to himas he gets older. He will love the ground and the small field and if the old Sprinter Sacre doesn’t turn up today we must have an excellent chance.

Glens Melody (David Casey) runs in the Limestone Lad Hurdle over 2m 3f. She ran a great race over 3 miles at Leopardstown at Christmas butthat trip was probably too much for her. We think she will be better suited by this trip and her homework has been good lately. She has a great chance here.

Val de Ferbet (Danny Mullins) goes for the 3 mile Grade 2 Novice Chase. We were delighted with his win at Fairyhouse last time where he jumpedefficiently. We think he will go close here even though this is a big stepup in class and he lacks experience.

Potters Point (Patrick) has his firstrun for us in the bumper. He is a fine big Robin Des Champs horse who wassecond in his only run in a point to point. He had an early season setbackbut he is over that now. He does good work at home and should go very wellhere.

[mayo]

Vautour (Ruby) runs in the 2m 3f novice chase. We are preparedto forgive him for his poor run here over Christmas as he is working well at home since. He seemed to have a little muscle problem and wasn’t moving properly. We are expecting him to show his true ability today.

Dogora (Ruby)goes for the Grade A Handicap Chase. He fell here last time but it was tooearly in the race to say how he would have done. We think he has the ability to win a race like this and maybe he will repay our confidence in him today. We have two in the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles.

Clondaw Warrior (Ruby) is in good form and has a lovely racing weight. The worry isthe ground as he doesn’t seem to be as effective in testing conditions.

We have a newcomer called Balko Des Flos (Patrick) in the 4YO bumper. He is anice type and he works well at home. It is difficult to know what he is upagainst here but, if it turns out to be an ordinary race, he might keep up the good recent run of our bumpers

[Old Vic]

You have to go all the way back to 2006 to see an 0 by the win count at a Cheltenham Festival for Willie Mullins.

Since then, the nine-time Irish Champion Trainer has saddled 25 winners at Prestbury Park’s March showdown.

So, it is no surprise that for this year’s meeting, the king of Closutton is responsible for eight of the current ante post Cheltenham Festival favourites, with the vast majority of prominent contenders also residing at Mullins’ County Carlow yard.

Of the likely contestants, it is four stable stars that could prove to be ‘Irish Banker’ material for Cheltenham. Four results that would put to bed the chances of the British getting their hands on the Festival Top Trainer title.

Dubbed the machine, Faugheen has shown the credentials, thus far, of being a serious Champion Hurdle contender.

The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle winner is undefeated in eight races with an aggregate winning distance of nine and a quarter lengths. Not bad, don’t you think?

However, it is the manor of Faugheen’s successes that has astonished racing fans.

Obliterating his rivals with consummate ease, the seven-year-old claimed a taking three and a half length win in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance, before effectively trotting to a nine-length triumph in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

If Faugheen is to be beaten - The New One, Jezki and Hurricane Fly will have to be at their brilliant best.

Another of Mullins’ quartet is the runaway chaser Un De Sceaux.

Most effective over two miles, the seven-year-old has taken to fences like the proverbial duck to water – despite falling on debut.

With three fences to go, and in a different parish to his rivals, Un De Sceaux took a tumble that lost him his unblemished racing record.

Though, a return to the racetrack at Fairyhouse ensured that we saw the real seven-year-old in action.

With a technique resembling a stag on a space hopper, Un De Sceaux demonstrated an effortlessly impressive round of jumping that helped him pull clear by 12 lengths of his nearest rival.

All roads now lead to the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Un De Sceaux’s likely destination means that Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Vautour looks likely to run in the JLT Novices’ Chase.

With flexibility in the distance he runs at, the slightly further Grade 1 contest will appeal more than running against his stable mate.

Held in the highest regard, Vautour was breathtaking on his seasonal debut, beating the subsequent Grade 1 winner Clarcam by eight lengths. But, he was unable to reaffirm this display on his second start of the season when beaten at Leopardstown on Boxing Day in testing conditions.

Despite making a big mistake at the fifth from last fence, the star was unable to rally back and was a distant second to the previously beaten Clarcam.

Although allegedly not at his best, it is likely that Vautour will next take in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase, before potentially going up in trip for the Festival.

Having won the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last year, the distance will be to his liking and it is where we are expected to see him excel again at the Festival.

The final member of the four is everyone’s favourite mare – Annie Power.

Despite suffering an injury at the start of the campaign, the World Hurdle runner-up is still expected to make it in time for the Cheltenham Festival.

With the newly-promoted Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham expected to be her destination, providing she turns up fit and well, she really does look unbeatable.

Only beaten by More of That in her career last year and with the Queen of Cheltenham, Quevega, now retired, Annie Power looks set for stardom.

Accumulatively, as of January 2015, you can back these four at odds of 93/1.

Come Friday 13 March in the evening, Mullins’ magical foursome could turn out to be the bet of the year!
- See more at: http://www.lovetheraces.com/features....jpgDrW0t.dpuf

[Old Vic]

Worse 93/1 shots imo

[Morning Glory]

Mayo have you given up on his daily reports ?

I think they are good but you have to try and read between the lines.

Gowran Runners

We have three runners in the 4Yo hurdle over 2 miles. Dicosimo(Ruby) is having his first run for us but won a hurdle race at Auteuil lastOctober. He is more a chasing type than a hurdler but if he handles the Irish-style hurdles he should go very well. Tarabiyn (David Casey) and Verawal (Paul) will have to show improvement but hopefully they will at least geta share of the place money.




Royal Caviar (Ruby) goes for the 2 mile maidenhurdle. He may have been a bit unlucky when second on his hurdling debut over 2m 4f at Leopardstown over Christmas. We may ride him differently hereand with the shorter trip today he should give a very account of himself.


We have two in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle over 3 miles where Monksland looksvery treated on ratings. Briar Hill (Ruby) was having his first run back atLeopardstown and we expect him to show considerable improvement here. Zaidpour (Paul) is a course and distance winner and will love these conditions.He disappointed last time but we are blaming that run on the fact that hewore blinkers. We are trying cheekpieces today and hopefully that will enable him to get into the frame.


Djakadam (Ruby) has to give weight away all-round in the Thyestes Handicap Chase over 3m 1f but it is not unknown for top-weights to win this race. It is a tough task but we think he is very well treated by the handicapper and must have a great each-way chance.


Upsie (Mark Walsh) runs in the 2m 2f beginners chase. She was second on her chasing debut at Limerick and the form of the race has been franked since. It isa tough task against Smashing but we think our mare has improved since Limerick.


We have two runners in the winners’ bumper. Stone Hard (Patrick) wonnicely at Fairyhouse and we are hoping for another good run here. Rio Treasure (Aubrey McMahon) ran really well when third in a listed bumper at Ascotlast time but she is more a summer type and whether she will handle theseconditions is open to question.

[mayo]

Un De Sceaux (Ruby) runs in the Grade 1 Novice Chase over 2m 1f. He has done very little wrong since joining us and has his own style of running. This should be a very exciting race to watch even though there areonly three runners. Our fellow is in great form and hopefully he will showoff his exuberant style of jumping.

We have two runners in the 2 mile IrishChampion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly (Ruby) has done nothing wrong this year andhopefully he will keep his unbeaten record around here intact. It should be another cracker between himself and Jezki. Arctic Fire (Paul) put up a fantastic performance last time and we will be very pleased if he can do thesame again today.

We are running three in the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle over 2m4f. Killultagh Vic (Ruby) ran a cracker at Ascot last time and the form has been advertised since. The trip will suit and he will love the ground. Hemust have a real good chance. Outlander (Paul) was a little disappointingat Limerick so we are bringing him back in trip here to see if he can regain winning form. Net D’Ecosse (Danny Mullins) is a nice type that we boughtto go chasing but we will keep him to hurdles this season. We will have a fair idea how good he is after today.

Newcomer Fugi Mountain (Patrick) goesfor the bumper. He is a half-brother to Blackstairsmountain and should handle this ground. It looks like it could be a hot race but this fellow goes well enough at home to be competitive here.