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Willie Mullins column: Weekend runners preview

By Willie Mullins

15:19 · SUN December 17, 2023

Our star columnist on his Sunday team and reflections on some big recent winners.

Navan

12:00 Spread Boss Ted

Spread Boss Ted³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: -

2/1

He’s more of a chaser than a hurdler and has lots of stamina. Two miles could be a little sharp for him but conditions in Navan on Sunday will be very testing and he goes there with every chance.

12:35 Dancing City

Dancing City²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: -

9/4

A nice type. I think the trip will suit him. His bumper form behind Ballyburn would give him every chance in this and I hope he’ll hurdle better than he did on debut with that experience under his belt. He’s a point-to-point winner and I think his jumping will be alright. Another nice horse in a maiden hurdle for us this weekend.

15:30 Redemption Day

Redemption Day⁵⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126| D

13/8

It’s great to get him back. His bumper form is excellent, he’s had his troubles but we’ve got him ready now. He starts off in a bumper and hopefully will come back sound and go on over hurdles after this. He’s in good order but might prefer the ground to be a little better.

Thurles

13:25 Asian Master

Asian Master²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T Costello⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: -| BF

7/1

This fellow’s pedigree would suggest this race might be a little short for him however he’s been second in a bumper and is probably a little faster than that page would suggest. He won’t lack for jumping experience coming from the Costello academy andwon’t lack in the saddle either. Tom is well worth his seven-pound claim. He goes there with a chance.

13:25 Jimmy Du Seuil

Jimmy Du Seuil⁴⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: -

1/1

This horse has some valuable racing experience from flat races in France, he jumps very well at home. We think he’s a nice acquisition for Ed Ware and we’re expecting a really big run.

14:00 Fun Fun Fun

Fun Fun Fun¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: -| CD

2/5

Paul has picked her. She was very impressive in winning in Thurles. I’m taking a bit of a chance running her back this quick, but it could be an opportunity for her if she’s at her best.

14:00 Pink In The Park

Pink In The Park⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 125| D

11/1

She’s going to find it difficult off her rating with her penalty, but she must take her chance. She’d probably need nicer ground too and will perform better in the spring. I think she’ll handle the trip but I’m worried the conditions of the race don’t suit but with a bit of luck she might get in the first three.

15:45 Femme Magnifique

Femme Magnifique^t1³³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: -

11/8

Jody has a nice ride in the bumper aboard this mare. She was second in her only point-to-point and goes well at home. With a bit of luck, she’ll get into the money.

Recent action

El Fabiolo did it the hard way in the Hilly Way at Cork last weekend. He pulled his way to the front with Paul Townend but he got him jumping. He did the job well in the end and it should set him up for his next start. He came home well from the race.

Embassy Gardens was very good in Punchestown in the week and when Paul wanted him over the fifth, fourth and third last his jumping was excellent. He looks a real top-class chaser in the making, and it would be great to have one of those for his owner Sean Mulryan.

Blood Destiny, with his four-year-old allowance, was very impressive on his own chasing debut at Naas and he too impressed with his jumping. He’s by No Risk At All, jumps very well and he’s building on the promise he showed us last season. Hopefully he can continue in that vein because last season his form tapered off a little bit into the spring. I’m hoping we can maintain it this time around. He looks an exciting prospect.

Elixir D’Ainay has been frustrating to train, and it was nice to find a race like we did at Punchestown on Tuesday to get him back on the track. For him to win it was a bit special. Let’s hope he can go and build from there. We’ll probably keep him over hurdles for the rest of the season.

We’re very pleased with how Allaho came out of the Clonmel Oil Chase. The plan at the moment is to go for the King George at Kempton. I’m very happy with his progress and I think the track could suit his style of racing.

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