Willie Mullins believes the British trainers’ championship is still “up for grabs” as he prepares to send a battalion of runners to the season finale at Sandown on Saturday.
The reigning champion who is £51,036 behind Dan Skelton before racing on Friday, has 21 runners carded in the final five Sandown contests, with many of them well fancied in the betting markets.
Willie Mullins (Pic – Leopardstown Racecourse on FB)
Gaelic Warrior could start the ball rolling in the Gr2 Oaksey Chase (15h25). Eight rivals, including three stablemates, contest the first prize of £45,560. Impressive at Aintree earlier this month when 3-lengths too good for the classy Grey Dawning, he should provide stable number one Paul Townend with a good start to the meeting.
Next up is the Gr2 Select Hurdle (16h00) worth £45,560 to the winning connections. Six compete with the five-year-old Kitzbuhel representing the Mullins and Townend partnership. He is also favourite after Mullins withdrew his star mare Lossiemouth.
The lightly raced Kitzbuhel won his first two starts for the yard before running fifth in a Group 1 over 3-miles at Aintree earlier this month. The drop in trip here to two and a half miles should suit with the Skelton trained Take No Chances the danger.
The Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon will be all the rage in the bet365 Celebration Chase (16h35), run over 2-miles. Mark Walsh rides for the first time with de Boinville injured and this course and distance winner should be hard to beat.
The Skeltons have a 25/1 shot in the form of Unexpected Party in the seven strong field, but Willie Mullins looks more likely to run the favourite close for the £99,663 first prize with Energumene and Il Etait Temps. Both of these are high-class and should be involved in the finish.
Finally, the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase which starts at 17h10. A field of 20 contest over three and a half miles for the £98.473 first prize.
Mullins will be very busy as he and his team must saddle half the field including the current top four in the betting market.
Paul Townend has chosen High Class Hero, 7/2 favourite, who comes in well weighted due to stablemate Grangeclare West carrying top-weight of 12 stone. High Class Hero has consistent form and was last seen finishing second in a Group 3 at Thurles last month.
Stablemate Dancing City, the mount of Jojo O’Neill Jr, has raced against stronger all season and is another very much in the mix along with Minella Cocooner who was slightly unlucky in the Grand National last time out.
Dan Skelton is solely represented by 12/1 shot Hoe Joly Smoke. He races here off joint bottom weight and is another with consistent form this season. However, with 10 in the race, Mullins will ensure the race is run to suit.
“It’s tough for Dan because people were calling him the champion all year and he’s done everything right.” said Mullins, who claimed the title for the first time on the final day last year.
“We have come along late in the day, but that’s always what we do every year, we don’t start early as I find that’s what works best for us.”
The looks to be the case again on Saturday.
