Willie Mullins Stable Tour

[mayo]

After thousand stars flops

"Came with Thousand Stars as I wasnt going to Cheltenham, Aintree still plan. Putting today down to one of those days. Ruby said was ground"

on his own new national favourite on his own

[mayo]

Two part Cheltenham vid http://www.fatjockey.com/cheltenham-...ie-Mullins-102

[Old Vic]

Willie Mullins equalled the record for the number of winners in a NH season (155) when Glens Melody took the 2nd at Fairyhouse. She didn't jump particularly well until she need but showed a good turn of foot. She'll come back here for the new mares race." W Mullins.

Here is what he said about the rest of todays

Dogora (Paul) runs in the 4yo hurdle over 2 miles. He has done nothing wrong since joining us but this is a major rise in class. He is improving all the time and his recent homework has been good. He will handle this ground and we will find out today how good he is.

We have two in the 2m 4f mares novice hurdle. There is only 1lb between them on official ratings and Patrick will probably put up a couple of pounds overweight on Tasitiocht. However, she is doing good work at home and it won’t be a surprise if she finishes in front of Glens Melody (Paul) today. However, with her weight allowance, Byerley Babe, could be the one to beat.

Away We Go (Paul) goes for the 2m 4f handicap hurdle. He disappointed after starting off well for us. However the trip and light weight here will be to his advantage and he has each-way prospects.

Prince De Beauchene (Paul) is in the Bobbyjo Chase over 3m 1f. He won this race last year but this is a much hotter renewal. He showed his wellbeing at Limerick at Christmas and we are hoping he can maintain that form. He will handle the ground and track.

Marasonnien (Paul) goes for the 2m 5f beginners chase. This ground will be to his liking and the extra 2f will also suit. He has come on since his last run and we are expecting him to run a big race today.

Wicklow Gold (Patrick) runs in the bumper. He made good improvement from his first to his second run and seems to have improved again since. He ran up against a hotpot at Navan but hopefully he might go one better here.

[Yeehaa]

:0

Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are the Barcelona and Real Madrid of trainers, the former the current champion while the latter won seven successive crowns previous to that.

But Nicholls – trainer of the great Kauto Star – and Henderson must have experienced a shiver down the spine when they heard the latest plan being hatched by Willie Mullins, the dominant and all-powerful handler in Irish jump racing.

Mullins intends to step up his assault on British racing in a big way, even opening a yard in England.

Until now, Mullins' raids have chiefly been confined to Cheltenham and Aintree but all that is about to change.

And that could open doors for Mullins' star jockey Ruby Walsh, who earlier this year ended his association with Nicholls, an arrangement that saw him ride for both trainers.

Mullins confirmed that Walsh is an integral part of his plans to challenge the superpowers of British racing.

"Now that I have Ruby around all the time, his knowledge of British courses and horses will be a huge help," said Mullins.

[Yeehaa]

From ruby on 19 oct

I rode work at Willie Mullins’ on Thursday morning and it certainly brought home to me what a wealth of talent he will unleash in the coming weeks and months.
It is no exaggeration to say that upwards of 100 horses went through their paces and I can hardly wait for Willie to give them the green light to start their campaigns.

Willie, however, is a patient man and will not play his cards until deciding they are fit and ready to do themselves justice.

All trainers have different ways of doing things. For instance, in England, there is no sign of Nicky Henderson unwrapping his stable stars and Willie is the same.

My best guess is that Willie’s top horses are at least two weeks, if not more, away from starting off.

What I will say is that when his train pulls into the station there will be a hell of a lot of horses on it.

The likes of Annie Power, Hurricane Fly, Un De Sceaux, Boston Bob, Champagne Fever, Sir Des Champs and Ballycasey came back in together and have the same work done.

When one of them appears then that will basically signal they are all more or less ready to get going.

[mayo]

"Rubi Ball is an interesting horse that came to us from France. We might find a conditions race for him because he hasn't won for a while so he could actually slot into a conditions chase, which would be a nice start," he told sportinglife.com.

"He's good and strong. The form book suggests he goes on heavy ground although he lost his form in Auteuil on very heavy ground and then he better form at Pau, where the ground wouldn't be as heavy. We'll see, we'll have to learn about him and if we find a nice conditions race that will help us.

"Even though he has a lot of miles on the clock, he's quite young in our terms and he could be a horse to look forward to. He seemed to go off the boil a bit last year and connections thought that maybe a change of training quarters might do him good.

"He owes no one anything so it will all be a bonus, what he will do over here. It's great to get French owners to have horses here in Ireland, its broadening the spectrum of steeplechasing, internationalising it. Very few French people would consider having a horse over here so it's an honour."

Another French-bred, Un De Sceaux, won by six lengths on his Irish debut at Punchestown before announcing himself as a hurdler to follow by slamming Moscow Mannon by 13 lengths at the same track in April.

"Un De Sceaux was a relatively unheralded horse that didn't come with a huge reputation, but he had some nice form. His two runs in Ireland showed that he could be a horse with tremendous potential. I'd be trying to find a second season novice hurdle for him to start off in.

"I have him entered in the Morgiana and who knows what will happen when November comes around but we will probably go for an easier option. However he has shown tremendous form at Punchestown, where the Morgiana is run, so we'll see."

The way Annie Power has been running, connections could consider changing her first name to 'Too Much' as she is unbeaten in seven starts, winning by an average margin of 16 lengths.

"Annie Power is another that has shown huge potential. She is seven from seven and we really don't know just how good she is. She's another one that I'd be trying to start off in a second season race rather than take on the big guns but she is entered in the Morgiana. We'll see how we go, she has come in well from grass and I'm looking forward to her," Mullins added.

Ruby Walsh took the ride on the unbeaten Briar Hill in the Cheltenham bumper last season but despite that star combination, the horse was allowed to go off a 25/1 shot.

He belied those odds to run out one of the most impressive winners of the race in recent years, in the process giving the trainer a record eighth winner of the race - an achievement all the more astonishing when you consider there have only been 21 renewals.

"Briar Hill is a very understated horse. He doesn't show off and has never really advertised his ability at home. He is closely related to Boston Bob and even though his first bumper appeared very ordinary on paper, he couldn't have won it an easier than the way he did. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, we decided to go to Cheltenham because we didn't know how good he was" the trainer said.

"When he got to the big stage, he really blossomed and he showed us a lot more than he ever did in his life so he has to be a horse we are looking forward to coming out over hurdles. With his pedigree, it would point to him going over a trip of two and a half miles plus. We know he likes Cheltenham and he has form there now, so we would like to point him towards the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett."

His previous winner of the champion bumper, Champagne Fever went on to record a second successive Festival success in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle and he promises to prove an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks this season.

"Champagne Fever will go jumping. He did very well at the end of his bumper career and also last year, before we went hurdling, he showed he was a natural jumper. However I felt he would need the experience of a year over hurdles to teach him how to race. We learned an awful lot about him too, last season. He looks a natural to go chasing over the minimum trip," said Mullins.

One of the big talking horses in Ireland last season was Faugheen, who was the subject of support for the champion bumper at Cheltenham prior to setting foot on the racecourse.

As it transpired, he didn't run at Cheltenham but when he did make his debut in May, he proved worth the wait, displaying an amazing turn of foot to rout his rivals.

"Faugheen put in a great performance to win his only bumper start at Punchestown by 22 lengths so if he can transform that form to hurdle races, I'll be looking forward to him as one of the better staying novice hurdlers," his trainer beamed.

Mullins also has as small but select Flat team which have amassed ten domestic winners this year from just 44 runs. He is no stranger to big race success in that sphere either, having won the Ebor at York with Sesenta before landing the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra with Simenon at the 2012 Royal meeting.

The same combination returned to this year's June showpiece where Simenon went down by a neck in the Group One Ascot Gold Cup.

He will hopefully become a second representative for Mullins in the Emirates Melbourne Cup, ten years on from Holy Orders.

"Simenon is doing everything right in Australia. We were very pleased how he took his quarantine in Newmarket and again in Australia," he said.

"He travelled really well and was doing some nice work before he ran in the Herbert Power. We were very happy with that run. He met a bit of trouble in running which wasn't any advantage to us but he finished well and has come out of the race sound.

"He's done two bits of work since, he second of which was Thursday and they have both gone well. At the moment, fingers crossed, everything is going to plan."

Mullins also mentioned a dark horse to follow, an Irish-bred son of Beneficial who finished third of 15 in a €50,000 hurdle at Auteuil in France, on his only start to-date.

"We bought a nice horse for Archie O'Leary of Florida Pearl and Cooldine fame called Abbyssial. He's a big chasing type, a three-year old by Beneficial that has been placed over hurdles in the spring in France.

"His real potential will be as a big chaser but I'm hoping when the ground gets heavy that he will show us good form over hurdles as well.

"We have a real nice team of horses to go to war with this year and if we can keep virus free and keep sickness out of the yard - and even though they are going to be a bit late coming on stream, as normal - we are really looking forward to them," Mullins concluded.

[Morning Glory]

Twinlight

“That’s a big improvement. He came in very strong, I was very happy with him when he came in from grass. He’s much stronger than last year,” Willie Mullins said.

“He didn’t get a break last year, he was on the go during the summer. It looks like a fair improvement in form to take on a field of horses like that and to beat them the way he did.

“I imagine we’ll keep him at two miles. I was thinking with the strength of him he might go two and a quarter or two and a half miles.

“He obviously doesn’t have to make the running. Ruby sat in behind today. That gives us more options if we do decide to go over longer trips.”

[mayo]

Hurricane Fly

"He has come back from his summer break stronger than ever before and that is probably not too surprising because of the wonderful summer we had. I’d imagine we’ll follow the same route as last season and start off in the Morgiana at Punchestown and then on to Leopardstown at Christmas, followed by the Irish Champion and then Cheltenham and
Punchestown.

We’re hoping he has retained most, if not all, of his ability as he will have to fight off the younger brigade of hurdlers lining up to try to take his crown. If for any reason he was to miss the Morgiana then he’d probably start off in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, a race he won three years ago. "

[mayo]

Sunday, Nov 3, 2013
Where
Cork (map)
Description
Daneking (Ruby) makes his hurdling debut in the 4yo maiden hurdle over 2 miles. He was rated 80 when he ran on the flat in England for John Gosden and won a 1m 6f handicap on soft ground so he should handle the underfoot conditions here. He jumps well enough and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on. Indevan (Ruby) goes for the 3 mile novice hurdle. He won nicely over 2m 5f at Limerick last month and should appreciate the step up in trip here. The only concern would be if we get any more rain as he has a preference for better ground. Unic De Bersy (Ruby) has his first run over hurdles in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle. Jumping shouldn’t be a problem as he has won and been placed in point to points. He will like the ground but the other Gigginstown runner, Azorian, could prove a hard nut to crack. We have two runners in the 2m 4f novice chase. Felix Yonger (Ruby) won well on his chasing debut over this trip at Punchestown in May. We are hoping that he might be good enough to go in again here if the ground doesn’t deteriorate too much. Darroun (Paul) also has a preference for good ground but he will like this trip and should run well. We also run two in the Cork Grand National over 3m 4f. Themoonandsixpence (Paul) will stay this trip but would prefer better ground. Rockyaboya (Ruby) reverts to fences here and has a nice handy weight. He has never been over a trip this far but it shouldn’t be a problem for him. Andiamos (David Thomas) runs in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle. He has been very disappointing and fell when beaten on his first run in a handicap at Tramore last time. We are more hopeful than confident of a good run.

[Morning Glory]

Simeon 4th in oz - good effort

[Sefton]

ALELCHI INOIS
Track Alelchi Inois View form
5-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Night Tango (GER) - Witness Gama (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 033/1
French recruit by Night Tango who won Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on soft ground on only start for new yard back in May.

“He is a fine, big chasing type who has won his novice hurdle and will be coming back having had a break and he could be out shortly in the staying novice hurdle division.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle (2m), Kilbeggan, 3 May 2013
ANNIE POWER
Track Annie Power View form
5-y-o; chestnut mare
Breeding: Shirocco (GER) - Anno Luce (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1111111
High-class unbeaten Grade 1-winning five-year-old mare by Shirocco. Seven wins from seven starts.

“She summered well. When I bought her I intended going novice chasing with her at this stage but on the evidence of her wins over hurdles we have decided to stay hurdling this season and we’ll see how good she’ll be. If running in second- season novice races goes well we’ll probably have to step her up and she’ll tell us how good she is.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final (Grade 1) (2m 4f), Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2013
WON - paddypower.com Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m), Naas, 24 Feb 2013
WON - Kilsheelan Mares Hurdle (2m 100y), Clonmel, 7 Feb 2013
ARCTIC FIRE
Track Arctic Fire View form
4-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Soldier Hollow (UK) - Adelma (GER)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Four-year-old recruit from France who won on Irish debut at Tipperary over two miles on good ground.

“He impressed Ruby in Tipperary with his slick jumping and turn of foot at the end.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Maiden Hurdle (2m), Tipperary, 8 Oct 2013
ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE
Track Arvika Ligeonniere View form
8-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Arvico (FR) - Daraka (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1/111FP1
Three-time Grade 1-winning novice chaser last season over two miles on soft or heavy ground.

“He’s for the two-mile chasing division and likes testing conditions. He’s come back in great order from the summer and we might chance going 2m4f this year.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Ryanair Novice Chase (Grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 25 Apr 2013
F - Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (2m 1f), Leopardstown, 26 Jan 2013
WON - Racing Post Novice Chase (grade 1) (2m 1f), Leopardstown, 26 Dec 2012
ASK VIC
Track Ask Vic View form
4-y-o; bay filly
Breeding: Old Vic (UK) - No Dunce (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Kilbeggan bumper winner on only start over 2m4f on good to firm.

“Won her bumper very well and I’ve given her a break now and she’ll come back in over hurdles and she’ll be a nice addition to our mares staying novices hurdlers.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Athlone Flat Race (2m 3f 110y), Kilbeggan, 6 Sep 2013
BALLY LONGFORD
Track Bally Longford View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Gold Well (UK) - Stay On Line (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 31-21135
Two-time winner during the summer now rated 125 over hurdles.

“Had a little training setback but is back in training now and he might go novice chasing. He is by Gold Well, however, and his progeny appear to prefer nicer ground than real winter ground.”

VIDEO FORM
5th - Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle (2m 4f), Listowel, 18 Sep 2013
3rd - Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Novice Hurdle (2m 6f), Killarney, 30 Aug 2013
WON - Arthur Guinness Projects Novice Hurdle (2m 4f), Galway, 1 Aug 2013
BALLYCASEY
Track Ballycasey View form
6-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Presenting (UK) - Pink Mist (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 53/21-113
Ran just three times as a novice over hurdles and earned make of 143 in the staying division.

“I’m really looking forward to Ballycasey going over fences. He had a reasonably quiet season last season but we will try and make things harder for him this year and get him out early in the staying novice chases. By Presenting he might prefer better ground but I’d be keen to get experience into him on whatever ground we get.”

VIDEO FORM
3rd - Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (3m), Punchestown, 24 Apr 2013
WON - I.N.H. Stallion Owners E.B.F. Novice Hurdle (2m 6f), Thurles, 17 Jan 2013
WON - Next Meeting Thursday February 7th (Q.R.) (C & G) Maiden Hurdle (2m 4f), Clonmel, 6 Dec 2012
BLACKSTAIRMOUNTAIN
Track Blackstairmountain View form
8-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Imperial Ballet (IRE) - Sixhills (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Was last seen running in Japan in April when winning 2m5f Grade 1 at odds of 25-1.

“He’s not a winter horse. He gave us a great day in Japan and I imagine we’ll aim him for the spring meetings with a view to going back to Japan.”

VIDEO FORM
2nd - Ballsbridge Hurdle (2m 2f), Leopardstown, 3 Mar 2013
WON - McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle (2m), Cork, 5 Jan 2013
2nd - Follow Us On Facebook Hurdle (2m), Cork, 18 Nov 2012
BLOOD COTIL
Track Blood Cotil View form
4-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Enrique (UK) - Move Along (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 114621
Promising juvenile hurdler last season who won Grade 2 at Leopardstown over 2m and Grade Three in France over 2m4f.

“He could go chasing however, he is only four and I think nowadays there is a better second season novice programme and I think he might try and plot a course through that.”

VIDEO FORM
2nd - AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 27 Apr 2013
4th - Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
WON - Q8 Oils Juvenile Hurdle (grade 2) (2m), Leopardstown, 26 Dec 2012
BOSTON BOB
Track Boston Bob View form
8-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Bob Back (USA) - Bavaway (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 112-11FF
Grade 1-winning novice chaser over 2m5f at Leopardstown last season rated 154.

“He was a shade unlucky falling at the last in Cheltenham last year and I’m tempted to aim him at the Gold Cup. He’ll have to improve to get there but he runs well around Cheltenham. Hopefully he will leave his jumping errors behind him this year. We always have the option of maybe going back over hurdles with him either.”

VIDEO FORM
F - Growise Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (3m 1f), Punchestown, 23 Apr 2013
WON - Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase (Grade 1) (2m 5f), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
WON - Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Beginners Chase (2m 4f), Navan, 16 Dec 2012
BRIAR HILL
Track Briar Hill View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Backaway (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: P111
Champion Bumper winner who is two from two on the track and also a point to point winner.

“Jumps very well at home and he is an obvious staying novice hurdle candidate. You’d think he would possibly be a Neptune or an Albert Bartlett candidate at this stage. He’s not a horse that shows an awful lot at home and he seems to reserve his best for the racetrack, which I’m not unhappy about.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Holycross Flat Race (2m), Thurles, 3 Jan 2013
CHAMPAGNE FEVER
Track Champagne Fever View form
6-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Stowaway (UK) - Forever Bubbles (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1-123113
Dual Cheltenham Festival hero having won Champion Bumper in 2012 and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2013 and now embarking on chasing career.

“He showed very well as a bumper horse and last year as a novice hurdler and before he went hurdling he schooled very well over fences. With his high cruising speed and his natural ability to jump fast, I’m looking forward to seeing him over fences in his novice season this year.”

VIDEO FORM
3rd - Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 23 Apr 2013
WON - Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m 2f), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
3rd - Slaney Novice Hurdle (grade 2) (2m 4f), Naas, 6 Jan 2013
CLONDAW COURT
Track Clondaw Court View form
6-y-o; brown gelding
Breeding: Court Cave (IRE) - Secret Can't Say (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1-1
Point to point and bumper winner in 2012 and unraced since November when winning at Punchestown by 27 lengths.

“He’s a real chaser in the making but he’ll start off novice hurdling and it would appear he might be best suited in the staying division. He looks a good start.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Racing At Punchestown Tomorrow (pro/am) Flat Race (2m), Punchestown, 17 Nov 2012
DAISY'S GIFT
Track Daisy's Gift View form
6-y-o; bay mare
Breeding: Presenting (UK) - Daizinni (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Bumper winner at Thurles on soft ground back in February.

“She’s not the biggest mare in the world but she’s a nice little jumper and we’ll aim her at the mares’ novices hurdles.”

[Sefton]

DIAKALI
Track Diakali View form
4-y-o; grey gelding
Breeding: Sinndar (IRE) - Diasilixa (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 833221
Dual Grade 1-winning juvenile last season who is by Sinndar and finished with rating of 145.

“Won the four-year-old championship in Punchestown and the French equivalent at Auteuil. He had a very tough season last year and he will probably stay in the second season novice hurdle class. They can often be tough to place but his main part of the season will be the festivals in the second half of the season.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 27 Apr 2013
2nd - Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
WON - Visit punchestown.com For All Our Offers Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) (2m), Punchestown, 12 Jan 2013
FAUGHEEN
Track Faugheen View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Germany (USA) - Miss Pickering (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1-1
Bumper winner by 22 lengths at Punchestown on his only start for the yard on yielding ground back in May.

“Faugheen is another real chasing type who impressed in his bumper. Looks like he will start his novice hurdling campaign shortly. If he’s able to carry through the ability he showed in his bumper to hurdling he would be one I’m looking forward to seeing in the staying novice hurdling ranks.

VIDEO FORM
WON - Racing Again On 29th May Flat Race (2m), Punchestown, 11 May 2013
FELIX YONGER
Track Felix Yonger View form
7-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Oscar (IRE) - Marble Sound (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 021125/1
147-rated hurdler who began chasing career with a win over 2m4f at Punchestown back in May and was second to Simonsig at Cheltenham.

“He probably likes nice ground but he is getting ready to come out and continue his novice chasing career. He appears to have the speed to contest over the minimum trip and he has shown us that he has the stamina to stay longer trips so I’ll let him guide me as we go through the season.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Punchestown For Events Beginners Chase (2m 4f), Punchestown, 11 May 2013
5th - Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle (grade 1) (2m 4f), Punchestown, 27 Apr 2012
WON - Paddypower.com Novice Hurdle (grade 2) (2m), Naas, 26 Feb 2012
GLENS MELODY
Track Glens Melody View form
5-y-o; bay mare
Breeding: King's Theatre (IRE) - Glens Music (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 2131121
High-class mare who was second to stable companion Annie Power in Grade 1 before winning similar contest at Punchestown Festival.

“Glens Melody’s owner Fiona McStay, who has a good breeding operation, has elected not to send her to the paddocks. We are going to see how much she can improve by and she’ll be a fair mare in the mares hurdling ranks. We’ll see how she’s able to contend with the move out of novice company.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fillies Scheme E.B.F. Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m 2f), Punchestown, 27 Apr 2013
2nd - Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final (Grade 1) (2m 4f), Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2013
WON - I.t.b.a. Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle (2m 4f), Fairyhouse, 23 Feb 2013
GOLDBOY
Track Goldboy View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Gold Well (UK) - Woodbinesandroses (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 4/5-211
Two-time bumper winner in October and won above average winners contest at Naas most recently over 2m3f on yielding ground.

“Has shown very smart bumper form of late. He probably prefers nice ground, however maybe he was just immature when he ran last year on soft ground and we’ll let him tell us. He’ll go over hurdles now.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Become A Go Racing In Kildare Member (pro/am) Flat Race (2m 3f), Naas, 20 Oct 2013
WON - Killahora Flat Race (2m 4f), Clonmel, 3 Oct 2013
2nd - Follow Us On Twitter Flat Race (2m), Cork, 25 Aug 2013
INDEVAN
Track Indevan View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Indesatchel (IRE) - Be Most Welcome (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 121-1121
Bumper winner in April and three-time hurdle winner since then only suffering defeat once when second at Galway over 2m2f. Has won from two miles up to 2m5f.

“Has been a good servant and I imagine we’ll stay novice hurdling. While he has a lot of speed, he showed the last day that he could stay as well making all to win over 2m5f at Limerick. He appears to handle good ground so well it will be a surprise if he’s able to handle heavy ground.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Fergus O'toole Memorial Novice Hurdle (grade 3) (2m 5f), Limerick, 13 Oct 2013
2nd - Easyfix Rubber Products Novice Hurdle (2m 2f), Galway, 10 Sep 2013
WON - Martin Reilly Bmw Dealer Novice Hurdle (2m), Sligo, 8 Aug 2013
MADE IN GERMANY
Track Made In Germany View form
5-y-o; chestnut gelding
Breeding: Germany (USA) - Black Dot Com (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: /-1
Two-time bumper winner on contrasting ground.

“He’s a real nice sort who just keeps improving with every run and he’s a real chaser in the making. He’ll go novice hurdling soon and on the evidence of his bumpers it looks like we’ll aim him at the stayers’ division.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Irish Field Flat Race (2m), Curragh, 6 May 2013
WON - Dunsany (Pro/Am) Flat Race (2m), Navan, 19 Feb 2013
MIKAEL D'HAGUENET
Track Mikael D'haguenet View form
9-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Lavirco (GER) - Fleur D'haguenet (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 21F1332
High-class type who failed to recapture his novice hurdling form when he won three Grade 1s in 2008/09.

“We contemplated retiring Mikael D’Haguenet, however he has come back in from grass as strong as a bull and he’s enjoying himself in training so we are probably going to mix it hurdling and chasing and he’s a horse who will pay his way.”

VIDEO FORM
2nd - Madra Irish Dog Foods Novice Chase (2m 2f), Punchestown, 27 Apr 2013
3rd - Powers Gold Cup (Grade 1 Novice Chase) (2m 4f), Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2013
3rd - Woodlands Park 100 Club Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase (Grade 2) (2m 4f), Naas, 24 Feb 2013

[Sefton]

MOYLE PARK
Track Moyle Park View form
5-y-o; chestnut gelding
Breeding: Flemensfirth (USA) - Lovely Present (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 11
Won his bumper in good style at Leopardstown before making £250,000 at the sales and then winning at the Punchestown Festival on only start for Mullins.

“Put up one of the gutsiest performances all year when winning the Land Rover Bumper. We thought he looked beaten a furlong down but he just stuck out his head and ground out to the finish and won going away. With that sort of toughness he should be a great addition to the novice hurdle ranks. His style of racing suggests he might want the minimum trip but he does look to have a lot of stamina. We’ll probably start off over 2m and move him out in trip if we have to. I’m not in any rush to get him out.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Goffs Land Rover Bumper (2m), Punchestown, 23 Apr 2013
WON - Donohue Marquees Flat Race (2m), Leopardstown, 26 Dec 2012
MOZOLTOV
Track Mozoltov View form
7-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Kayf Tara (UK) - Fairmead Princess (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 2/1213-11
Two from two over hurdles including a Grade 2 success over Don Cossack at Punchestown.

“He’s a horse who had a light enough season last year but his form looked good and he looks a real chaser. I’m looking forward to him.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Racing UK Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m), Punchestown, 3 Feb 2013
WON - Students Day At Gowran Park 2013 - Tuesday April 9th Maiden Hurdle (2m 2f), Gowran Park, 13 Dec 2012
3rd - betchronicle.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 25 Apr 2012
NOBLE INN
Track Noble Inn View form
3-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Sinndar (IRE) - Nataliana (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Another French recruit who won first time out for the stable after being bought for €31,000 and won a juvenile maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe on good ground.

“We got him from France during the summer and he wasn’t one of our most expensive purchases yet he was able to win first time out. He’s a nice type who might not want real winter ground. We’ll give him another run or two and if we feel that way we’ll put him away until the spring.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Ballinrobe Members Club 2014 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle (2m), Ballinrobe, 24 Sep 2013
OUTLANDER
Track Outlander View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Stowaway (UK) - Western Whisper (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: PP2-1116
Three-time bumper winner on soft ground over two miles.

“Outlander advertised his ability by winning three bumpers and he’ll go novice hurdling and I imagine the staying division will be his forte.”

VIDEO FORM
6th - Betdaq The Peoples Exchange Champion I.n.h. Flat Race (grade 1) (2m), Punchestown, 24 Apr 2013
WON - Paddy Power Mobile App (Pro/Am) Flat Race (2m), Naas, 24 Feb 2013
WON - Thornton's Recycling Flat Race (2m), Leopardstown, 29 Dec 2012
QUEL ESPRIT
Track Quel Esprit View form
9-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Saint Des Saints (FR) - Jeune D'esprit (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1113-04P
Irish Hennessy winner in 2012 who is still only nine but has had niggling injuries.

“Patrick has acquired Quel Esprit to go Hunters’ Chasing with this season with the Foxhunters at Aintree as his main target and judging by the way he jumped in the Grand National he would be a great ride around there.”

VIDEO FORM
4th - Hennessy Gold Cup (Grade 1) (3m), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
3rd - thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) (3m 1f), Punchestown, 28 Apr 2012
WON - Hennessy Gold Cup (grade 1) (3m), Leopardstown, 12 Feb 2012
RENNETI
Track Renneti View form
4-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Irish Wells (FR) - Caprice Meill (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Obliged as a 2/9fav on Irish debut in Downpatrick over 2m2f.

“Renneti looked a decent type. He won his maiden pretty well in Downpatrick and he jumped well and quickened away well at the end.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Rock Around The Clock Party Night Maiden Hurdle (2m 2f 50y), Downpatrick, 18 Oct 2013
ROYAL MOLL
Track Royal Moll View form
6-y-o; bay mare
Breeding: King's Theatre (IRE) - Moll Bawn (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1
Bumper winner on debut at Sligo over 2m2f on yielding ground.

“A nice mare with a lovely pedigree and she’ll be a nice recruit to the mares novice hurdling brigade. She’s ready to run.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Littlewoods Ireland Ladies Day At Sligo Racecourse Mares Flat Race (2m 2f), Sligo, 8 Aug 2013
RUBI BALL
Track Rubi Ball View form
8-y-o; gelding
Breeding: Network (GER) - Hygie (FR)
Trained by J Ortet
Form: FP3F222
Grade 1 winning chaser in France over 3m4f on heavy ground and new recruit by Network.

“Rubi Ball was one of the top-rated chasers in France but seemed to have lost his way and Mr Papot who is one of the leading owners in France has decided to send him over here as he thinks he would like our conditions over here. He is a very nice sort to have acquired from France during the summer.”

SUNTIEP
Track Suntiep View form
7-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Ungaro (GER) - Galostiepy (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 111
Seven-year-old gelding by Ungaro who is unbeaten in three starts, two of which were over hurdles on heavy ground over 2m7f at Navan.

“He is three from three and a real warrior of a horse who doesn’t know when to give up. He looks beaten all the time and then sticks his head out to go and win. He’ll go novice chasing and the four-mile chase at Cheltenham would be in the back of our minds.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Novice Hurdle (2m 7f), Navan, 18 Mar 2013
WON - Navan Golf Course Maiden Hurdle (2m 7f), Navan, 13 Jan 2013
WON - limerickraces.ie Flat Race (2m 3f), Limerick, 28 Nov 2012
TENNIS CAP
Track Tennis Cap View form
6-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Snow Cap (FR) - Jijie (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 101124F
Three-time winner last season and finished with rating of 145 and now set to go chasing.

“It seemed to take Tennis Cap a while to acclimatise into Irish racing but he got it together last season and hopefully he can put it together this season over fences.”

VIDEO FORM
F - Bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle (grade C) (2m), Punchestown, 23 Apr 2013
4th - Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m), Fairyhouse, 1 Apr 2013
WON - paddypower.com iPhone Fast Bet Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (2m), Leopardstown, 9 Feb 2013
TOUCH THE EDEN
Track Touch The Eden View form
6-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Malinas (GER) - Loika (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 12/14
Won a maiden in Thurles on soft ground over two miles and unraced since finishing fourth in 2m4f Grade 2 in February.

“Had a setback last season but looking forward to seeing him go over fences. He won over hurdles and then got beaten and it subsequently transpired he had an injury. He looks a fine big chasing type.”

VIDEO FORM
4th - boylesports.com Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m 4f), Thurles, 28 Feb 2013
WON - Munster (c & G) Maiden Hurdle (2m), Thurles, 30 Nov 2012
TURNANDGO
Track Turnandgo View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Morozov (USA) - Crazy Alice (IRE)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1211
Dual bumper winner including winners contest at Punchestown Festival also a point to point winner.

“Turnandgo looks a real chaser. He’s by Morozov and if he can transfer his bumper form over hurdles he’s another horse who should make into a good staying novice hurdler.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Kildare Post Flat Race (2m), Punchestown, 25 Apr 2013
WON - Ardfinnan Flat Race (2m 100y), Clonmel, 7 Mar 2013
2nd - Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile Flat Race (2m 100y), Clonmel, 15 Nov 2012
TWINLIGHT
Track Twinlight View form
6-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Muhtathir (UK) - Fairlight (GER)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 3111241
Six-year-old who won at Punchestown Festival last season and went from 133 over hurdles to 153 over fences.

“He’s another for our two-mile chasing division. In all his races last year he ran like that was as good as he is and yet he came out and ran against better opposition and seemed to improve and who knows… if he shows improvement this year he is going to be right up there with the best.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Bibby Financial Services Handicap Chase (2m), Punchestown, 25 Apr 2013
4th - Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase (grade 3) (2m 4f), Naas, 10 Mar 2013
2nd - Flyingbolt Novice Chase (Grade 2) (2m 1f), Navan, 19 Feb 2013
UN DE SCEAUX
Track Un De Sceaux View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Denham Red (FR) - Hotesse De Sceaux (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 1-111
Two-time winner in France who made notable impression with two emphatic wins over two miles on first two starts.

“Has been very impressive for us and will step up in grade at the minimum trip and he looked to have a lot of potential after his last win at Punchestown.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Star Best for Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle (2m), Punchestown, 26 Apr 2013
WON - Festival Party Pack From 19 Maiden Hurdle (2m), Punchestown, 20 Feb 2013
UNIC DE BERSY
Track Unic De Bersy View form
5-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Nononito (FR) - Caliostra De Bersy (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 5/231-1
Bumper winner at Tipperary in May over 2m2f on heavy ground and also a point to point winner.

“Has only ran once for us and won nicely and on that evidence he is another one for the staying novice hurdling division.

VIDEO FORM
WON - P2p.ie (c & G) Point-to-point Flat Race (2m 2f), Tipperary, 16 May 2013

[Sefton]

UPSIE
Track Upsie View form
5-y-o; mare
Breeding: Le Balafre (FR) - Medjie (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 11-11
Winner in France who is two from two since joining yard after win over two miles at Naas and Punchestown.

“She’s a good recruit to the mares ranks and while she has won two out of two I think we can get some improvement from her jumping.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Orchid Transport Mares Novice Hurdle (2m), Punchestown, 25 Apr 2013
WON - Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet 1800 721 821 Maiden Hurdle (2m), Naas, 24 Feb 2013
VICKY DE L'OASIS
Track Vicky De L'oasis View form
4-y-o; filly
Breeding: Ultimately Lucky (IRE) - Japonaise Iii (FR)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 341112-1
Multiple winner in France who won first time out at Galway over two miles on good to firm ground in September.

“We bought Vicky in France last year but it took her a long time to acclimatise to Irish conditions. We’ll just try and keep her to novice company and I think she has enough speed for the two-mile division. She’s possibly not a real winter ground mare although she has form on heavy ground in France.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Anglo Printers Maiden Hurdle (2m), Galway, 10 Sep 2013
WICKLOW BRAVE
Track Wicklow Brave View form
4-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Beat Hollow (UK) - Moraine (UK)
Trained by W P Mullins
Form: 9-2111
Aptly named three-time bumper winner who has won on varying ground.

“I’m going to give him an easy time now and we’ll start him off over hurdles in December. He’s tough and has lots of gears. He was a bit green early on but you can see improvement in every run.”

VIDEO FORM
WON - Super Sunday (Pro/Am) Flat Race (2m), Tipperary, 6 Oct 2013
WON - Helena Sheahan Memorial (pro/am) Flat Race (2m), Listowel, 19 Sep 2013
WON - Pillohotelgalway.com Flat Race (2m), Galway, 29 Jul 2013

[Sefton]

Abbey Lane Pedigree: Eight-year-old gelding Flemensfirth (sire) - Hazel Sylph (dam) Owner: Martin Lynch Form: 30/2100- Racing Post Rating: 142h, Official rating: 135h He did well last season, winning the Boylesports. com Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. The plan is to go novice chasing with him and he should make into a nice handicapper. However, he’s quite ground dependant and likes a good dig.

Alelchi Inois 5g Night Tango - Witness Gama Mrs M McMahon P33/1 RPR 127h He’s a fine, big type and a real chaser in the making. He won a maiden hurdle in May but missed a summer campaign because of the dry ground. He will continue hurdling this season.

Alileo 5g Galileo - Acago Mrs J Mullins -3 RPR 106h He was placed a few times on the Flat in France and the ground was too quick for him on his only run for us. We’ll try Awesome strength in depth plain for all to see to win a maiden hurdle with him and take it from there. Alonso 4g Green Tune - Lady Cree Andrea & Graham Wylie -1 RPR 128h, OR - He’s a really nice type whom we bought last year. He never made it to the track last season as we decided he needed time. I was very happy with his debut over hurdles on Saturday, he looked very good, and will step up into novice company next.

Annie Power 5m Shirocco - Anno Luce Mrs S Ricci 111111- RPR 151h, OR 154h When we bought her I had visions she would be going over fences this season. However, she improved with every run over hurdles and ended her season a Grade 1 winner and unbeaten, so we decided she deserved another season hurdling to see how much more improvement might come. She is sharp enough for good races over 2m and as her Grade 1 win was over 2m4f she’ll have no problem going that distance again. It’s too early to talk about targets but she will probably have to mix it with the boys at some stage this season.

Arvika Ligeonniere 8g Arvico - Daraka Mrs S Ricci 111FP1- RPR 164c, OR 160c He came back good and strong from his summer break and will be concentrating on the top chases at home from 2m to 2m4f. He won threeGrade 1 novice chases last season and, while he likes going right-handed he did win a Grade 1 going the other way. The ground is important for him. He likes it soft to heavy.

Arctic Fire 4g Soldier Hollow - Adelma Wicklow Bloodstock Ltd -1 RPR 133h I was very pleased with the way he won his maiden hurdle at Tipperary. He has always worked well and while I’m not sure if he will be fully effective on very testing ground, he could be one of our better novice hurdlers in the 2m division.

Ask Vic 4f Old Vic - No Dunce Supreme Horse Racing Club -1 RPR 107b A filly bred by my mother, she won easily over 2m4f on her debut at Kilbeggan last month. She’s more likely to go hurdling rather than for a winners’ bumper. It was good to firm when she won, so we’ll have to see how she fares on slower ground.

Away We Go 10g Stowaway - Margurites Pet O’Gorman Partnership 400123- RPR 146c, 131h, OR 141c, 121h He’s bred to handle heavy ground but his form shows he is quite adaptable. He ended up last season by running second in the Irish National and third in the bet365 Gold Cup. I think he’s nicely enough handicapped to win one of the big staying chases and he could again be aimed at the Irish National and maybe get an entry for Aintree. He had a small setback and it will be the second half of the season before he appears.

Ballycasey 6g Presenting - Pink Mist Mrs S Ricci 21/113- RPR 144h, OR 143h We’re looking forward to him going over fences and he could make into a top-notch staying novice. He had a very easy season over hurdles but we’ll work him a bit harder this season. Being by Presenting, you’d imagine he’ll like goodish ground but he has oodles of stamina and should handle more testing conditions.

Bally Longford 5g Gold Well - Stay On Line Ann & Alan Potts Partnership 1-21135 RPR 130h, OR 125h He is primarily a good-ground horse and is likely to have a break until the spring. He might go novice chasing when he returns to action.

Balnaslow 6g Presenting - Noble Choice Gigginstown House Stud -0302621 RPR 136h, 136c, OR 125h Ran well on his chase debut at Gowran Park this month when second to Art Of Logistics, who went on to win a Grade 3. We took the tongue-tie, which he usually wears, off that day and we went without one when we stepped him up to 2m6f at Thurles last Thursday when he got off the mark over fences. He won a bumper and a maiden hurdle early last season but was disappointing afterwards. On the evidence so far he should do well over fences.

Beluckyagain 5m Old Vic - Whizz Supreme Horse Racing Club 4-32 RPR 102b She’s an improving mare and should be capable of winning a bumper before starting off over hurdles.

Bishopsfurze 8g Broadway Flyer - Supreme Dipper Mrs C Hurley F15/81U RPR 142c, 143h, OR 138c, 138h He’s never been a natural jumper of fences and has his own method, but he’s always had plenty of ability and I think there’s a nice juicy staying chase to be won with him during the season.

Blackstairmountain 8g Imperial Ballet - Sixhills Mrs S Ricci 521291- RPR 148c, 159h OR 145c, 143h He’s on a nice break as is not your typical winter horse. He did us proud by winning the Nakayama Grand Jump in April and it makes sense to prepare him for the same race again, seeing that he handled the trip to Japan, the surface and the fences well. Whatever else he might do, he’s certainly big in Japan and that will be the main aim.

Blood Cotil 4g Enrique - Move Along Mrs S Ricci 11462-1 RPR 142h, OR 141h He did well as a juvenile hurdler, finishing up by winning a Group 3 over 2m4f at Auteuil, and has the ability to do well in second-season hurdle races. However, there is a possibility we might send him over fences. He jumps very well and has shown himself very effective on testing ground. We’ll wait a bit longer before deciding what to do.

Boston Bob 8g Bob Back - Bavaway Andrea & Graham Wylie 12/11FF- RPR 154c, 156h, OR 154c, 151h He seems to need a trip and after two wins over fences he fell at the last when leading in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He also fell at the Punchestown festival. Despite those falls he’s basically a good jumper and we might try to map a route for him to try to see if the Cheltenham Gold Cup might be a realistic target. Plan B would be to look at handicap chases and at the back of my mind is half an idea that the staying hurdle division might be worth trying – he was second in the 2012 Albert Bartlett. So we have options.

Briar Hill 5g Shantou - Backaway Andrea & Graham Wylie P111- RPR 141b He’s closely related to Boston Bob and won both his bumpers, including the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Everything he’s done on the track has surpassed what he’s shown at home and that is usually a good sign. He looks one for the staying novice hurdle division and, hopefully, he’ll reach the top. He might be an Albert Bartlett horse, if not one for the Neptune