Willie Mullins column: Thoughts on Min and Chacun Pour Soi

CHACUN POUR SOI didn’t impress me as much as I know he can in winning the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.

He did what he had to do to win, but I think he’s capable of a lot better and that run will blow away the cobwebs and leave him right for Christmas or the spring when we decide what we’re doing next.

CASH BACK was quite sore the following day after his fall in the same race and we’ll give him a little break now before we build his confidence back.

We could give him a run over hurdles, but we’ll see how he is at home.

Patrick said MIN was very good in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday, jumping from fence to fence and giving him a dream ride.

He’s won that race three times now for three different jockeys and is a fantastic horse.

TORNADO FLYER finished second, stepping up in class, and it was a great result for his connections.

It means he can be aimed at top graded races at the big Festivals and he probably booked his own ticket to Cheltenham in March with that run.

MELON ran well in third and could go up a little bit in trip now, while ALLAHO just missed the ditch going away from the stands and it rather unsettled his jumping.

We might try different tactics with him the next time.

Leopardstown will be considered for them all, we’ll keep an eye on the weather and ground, but two of them have entries in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase too and I wouldn’t be against having a runner at Kempton on Boxing Day. I’d prefer to keep them apart next time.

Elsewhere all is well with AL BOUM PHOTO who remains on course to reappear in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore.

THE BIG GETAWAY seems fine after his run at Navan last weekend when he finished third on his chasing debut.

He probably just needed it badly. He’s a big unit and with the extended break he had because of the Covid shutdown, he possibly needed it more than most against race-fit rivals on the day. I’d imagine he’ll be back out over Christmas.

It was great to see Aubrey McMahon back in the winners’ enclosure on EUROTIEP, a horse owned by his father and some friends.

He was very brave, he wasn’t sure there was going to be much pace so made his own running and kept wide to look for better ground. He gave a very polished performance under pressure in the straight too to win going away.

It’s a quieter weekend than of late with two runners at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

12.30 Fairyhouse - Buck's Billionaire

BUCK’S BILLIONAIRE has some placed form, finishing second to Harrie of ours at Tramore on his hurdling debut.

He had a few issues but is back in good form now and steps up to three miles for the first time which will suit him.

Last year Monkfish won the Visit irishracingyearbook.com For The Perfect Racing Gift Maiden Hurdle and while it doesn’t look as good a race this time as round, it’s still very competitive.

We run against horses who have already had an outing or two this season and three miles on heavy ground will be a tough ask first time out for my horse.

3.22 Fairyhouse - Brandy Love

BRANDY LOVE came to us with a good reputation and has done everything nicely at home.

We’re looking forward to seeing her in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-Y-O Fillies Flat Race. She went through the sales ring at Cheltenham and looks a nice acquisition for the yard.