Mullins set to unleash a wealth of talent
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.
This is a very quiet weekend for me, with what could be best described as five modest rides at Cork tomorrow.
For many years gone past, I would have been at Cheltenham yesterday and today, but have left those days behind, after relinquishing my job as first jockey to Paul Nicholls.
It wasn’t a decision I took lightly and I have absolutely no regrets. Essentially, it is a relief to no longer feel the need to be constantly on the go.
I never found the Saturdays any sort of problem, but have to admit the Tuesdays and Wednesdays had become a bit of a grind.
Now, that said, if Paul Nicholls, or indeed anyone else, wants me to go to England in the future for a decent ride or two then I will not hesitate.
I don’t ride anywhere today, but will be more than happy to spend my morning down at Willie’s.
In the evening, if I got a ticket, I’d head for Thomond Park to see Munster playing, confident they will leave the shambles of last weekend well behind.
Of course, the days when it was a piece of cake getting a ticket for a big rugby match are also gone.
My ticket man, Ronan O’Gara, upped and headed for France, with no thought whatsoever about leaving me high and dry! At Cork tomorrow, I kick away on Magical Moon for Michael Hourigan in the opening maiden hurdle.
I suppose you could argue he was a bit disappointing when only fourth to Roja Dove at Limerick, although maybe wasn’t entitled to run any better.
What he has going for him is fitness and a wealth of experience, but there are some dark horses in this contest and I’m just hoping for the best.
Edward O’Grady has given me the nod for Banana Flambé, in the novice hurdle, and he has to have a chance.
He was last seen 51 days ago at Killarney when fourth to Flatfoot Boogie and has been given a break in the meantime.
I’d imagine Seskinane will be hard enough to beat. He won in a canter at Sligo in May and I should know because I was aboard the second, On His Own. Seskinane, of course, later lost the race in the stewards’ room.
I ride Run With The Wind for Michael Hourigan in a two-mile handicap chase, having finished fifth on the horse behind Rebel Fitz at Tipperary.
He didn’t go at all badly on that occasion and dropping back half a mile in trip will definitely work in his favour.
Darroun, who was becoming something of a puzzle, got his act together at Tipperary to win a bad race with any amount in hand.
I’m praying for more of the same from him when we try again in the novice chase. Owega Star is the one to beat here, but we’ll be giving it our best shot.
I round off what promises to be a less than exciting afternoon, at least from my point of view, on Trans Island for James Nash in a handicap hurdle.
He could only manage seventh in a maiden hurdle at Navan, but this is an ordinary race and, hopefully, can at least be competitive.
I must conclude by thanking everyone for their efforts at Limerick last Monday. This was a memorable and wonderful day and, I believe, a credit to racing.
