Person: Valseur Lido

Valseur Lido stays three miles - he just needs testing ground

When Gigginstown’s Valseur Lido faded, rather dramatically, from the final fence in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown the general reaction was that he simply didn’t stay the three miles.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2017

Outlander’s tenacity carries the day in Lexus Chase

Roll back the clock 12 months and the result of yesterday’s Lexus Chase – Outlander first, Don Poli second and Djakadam third – would have been a clean sweep for trainer Willie Mullins, but the dynamic nature of the sport is such it was Gordon Elliott who was celebrating having the first two home, with Mullins responsible for the third.

Sun, 01 Jan, 2017

Here's why Douvan should be aimed at the Gold Cup

If Willie Mullins sticks to the tried and trusted system that has served him so well there’s no doubt Douvan will head for the two-mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham, with a possible tilt at the Gold Cup put back to 2018.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Listen Dear the standout bet on a big weekend

Much as I would love to ride Douvan in the Hilly Way Chase in Cork tomorrow, I can’t be in two places at once, and so I’ll be in Punchestown to ride Djakadam in the John Durkan Memorial. It’s a Grade 1 race, the biggest race of the day, and that’s the reason I’m going there.

Sat, 10 Dec, 2016

Testing times for Willie Mullins

It is about two months since Gigginstown shocked the racing world and removed 60 horses from the care of Willie Mullins.

Sat, 26 Nov, 2016

Thistlecrack still a work in progress

On the one-hand you can understand why Thistlecrack is the 7-2 favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it also defies logic, if that’s not too much of a contradiction.

Sat, 19 Nov, 2016

Valseur Lido looks a genuine contender

Valseur Lido certainly struck an early blow for Cheltenham Gold Cup consideration with that stunning victory last Saturday in the Grade One JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Tell Us More stars in Gordon Elliott treble

Gordon Elliott completed a treble with Tell us More, De Plotting Shed and Brelade in Naas to round off a remarkable weekend, adding to his six winners at the two-day Down Royal festival and a double in Cork yesterday.

Mon, 07 Nov, 2016

Outlander to put in Titanic effort in Belfast Chase

Just two rides today, but they’re good ones, and I start off with Valseur Lido in the JNWine Chase at Down Royal. 

Sat, 05 Nov, 2016

Shock split between Willie Mullins and Gigginstown ‘basically over fees, I imagine’

The world of National Hunt racing was rocked yesterday morning when it was announced by Willie Mullins that he would no longer be training for Gigginstown House Stud.

Thu, 29 Sep, 2016

Barry Geraghty’s 30-day ban overturned

Barry Geraghty had his 30-day ban for his ride on Noble Emperor at Limerick quashed last evening after a lengthy appeal at the Turf Club.

Tue, 19 Apr, 2016

Willie Mullins aims big guns at Aintree

The Crabbie’s Grand National meeting could start with a bang as the imperious Douvan is among 18 entries in the Merseryrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase next Thursday.

Sat, 02 Apr, 2016

Two to keep in mind going forward post-Cheltenham

There are two horses that got beaten at Cheltenham who are worthy of the closest inspection going forward, namely Alpha Des Obeaux and Valseur Lido.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

2016 Cheltenham Festival - Champion Day - Cheltenham Racecourse

Aintree next on Annie Power’s agenda

Willie Mullins has confirmed Annie Power to be on course for next month’s Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle.

Wed, 23 Mar, 2016

Last-minute Vautour comes good on the day

If the decision to re-route Vautour from the Gold Cup to the Ryanair Chase was an unpopular one, all animosity towards the horse and connections had dissipated by the time the beautifully athletic gelding jumped the final fence and strode clear up the straight to record victory at a third consecutive Festival.

Fri, 18 Mar, 2016

2016 Cheltenham Festival - St Patrick's Thursday - Cheltenham Racecourse

Mall Dini the toast of Craughwell after Pertemps success

GOOD DAY

Fri, 18 Mar, 2016

Irish Angle: Outlander the best option in a tricky opener

We look at the best of the Irish in today’s action at Cheltenham.

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016

Paul Townend happy to sit tight

He is acknowledged as one of the most talented riders in jump racing, in demand on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Tue, 15 Mar, 2016

Taquin Du Seuil added to Ryanair Chase line-up

Taquin Du Seuil has been supplemented for Thursday’s Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Sat, 12 Mar, 2016

Kerry Lee hoping for rain to boost Russe Blanc’s Irish National bid

Kerry Lee will be praying for a rainy Easter as she contemplates running Russe Blanc in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on March 28.

Tue, 08 Mar, 2016

Willie Mullins priming ‘phenomenal’ Cheltenham Gold Cup team

Willie Mullins hailed his “phenomenal” Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup team as he hosted the press at his County Carlow yard yesterday morning.

Tue, 01 Mar, 2016

Two chances of Ruby Walsh buckling under Cheltenham pressure

There he was heading to the final fence at Navan last Sunday and you were thinking this fellow won’t be far away at Cheltenham.

Sat, 20 Feb, 2016

Gigginstown happy to play the waiting game with Gold Cup plans

Racing manager Eddie O’Leary insists no decisions will be made until Festival week on which horses represent Gigginstown House Stud in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Thu, 11 Feb, 2016

Road To Riches’ defeat leaves Bryan Cooper with a straight choice of Dons

And then there were two. There won’t be any public declaration of abandonment but it seems clear Bryan Cooper’s choice of Cheltenham Gold Cup mounts is now between the two Dons — Cossack and Poli — after Road To Riches disappointed at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Mon, 08 Feb, 2016

Carlingford Lough comes from nowhere on day of shocks at Leopardstown Irish Gold Cup meet

On Saturday afternoon Leopardstown hosted an Irish Gold Cup meeting which threw many Cheltenham markets into complete disarray.

Mon, 08 Feb, 2016

Road To Riches a ‘stupid’ price, says Noel Meade

Trainer Noel Meade believes Road To Riches is a “stupid price” for today’s Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Sat, 06 Feb, 2016

Improving Some Neck can do business in finale

A great day’s racing at Leopardstown begins with a Grade One Juvenile Hurdle and I hope I’ve picked the right one — Let’s Dance — from Willie Mullins’ three.

Sat, 06 Feb, 2016

Don Poli spearheads Willie Mullins’ challenge

Willie Mullins is responsible for seven of the 17 entries for the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 6.

Fri, 15 Jan, 2016

Big names stand ground as 14 remain in Lexus Chase

There are 14 top-class chasers remaining in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Monday.

Wed, 23 Dec, 2015

Willie Mullins: Vautour very well ahead of King George

Willie Mullins is confident Vautour’s jumping will not be an issue in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Thu, 17 Dec, 2015

Classy Djakadam makes striking return to action at Punchestown

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam made a visually striking return to action when running away with the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial on a top-class card yesterday afternoon at Punchestown.

Mon, 07 Dec, 2015

Black Hercules can get chasing career off to good start at Navan

Navan is not where I expected to be this afternoon, but I suppose it was better to find out early in the week at home that Un De Sceaux was a bit flat than when leaving the Railway Fences and wondering why he wasn’t picking up going to the Pond Fence.

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015

Willie Mullins launches twin assault on John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam and Grade One-winning novice Valseur Lido form a formidable twin assault for Willie Mullins on the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015

Willie Mullins dominates the entries for Durkan Memorial

Willie Mullins has four of the 10 entries for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

Wed, 02 Dec, 2015

Bryan Cooper has a go with No More Heroes in Drinmore Novice Chase

Bryan Cooper is looking to win back-to-back renewals of the Grade One Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase on the promising No More Heroes at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Sat, 28 Nov, 2015

Classy Shaneshill can go one better

Things didn’t all go to plan yesterday but you won’t complain with two winners nonetheless. I picked the wrong one big time in the Champion Chase and my hope that Champagne Fever might reproduce his best form proved unfounded. It was 50-50 with Felix Yonger and it didn’t surprise me that he stuck it out so well in the end.

Wed, 29 Apr, 2015

Douvan primed to deliver again in Champion Novice