Plans fluid for Chelsea Harbour
The nine-year-old ran third in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday, with Mullins delighted to have picked up some decent prize-money.
Whether he lines up this weekend or not, Chelsea Harbour is likely to have only one more run before a tilt at the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree in April.
“He’s come out of the race grand so all is well with him,” said Mullins.
“It was a funny race on Sunday as he got outpaced and then stayed on past the two tired horses to get third, so I was happy to get the prize-money.
“I thought he would have been a lot closer to the runner-up Notre Pere but he just got lost at halfway and I have no excuses for that really.
“Maybe he needs the ground deeper that it was on Sunday but it’s one of those things.
“He’s in the Bobbyjo Chase this weekend but I would say it’s only 50-50 that he will go there.
“There is a race in Naas he might go for about two weeks before Aintree so that could be a target.
“I only want to run him once more before the National and, as that race is closer, it may suit him better.”
Meanwhile Tom Mullins believes there is more to come from Made In Taipan after he bounced back to winning ways in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.
The seven-year-old let down odds-on backers when beaten a long way into second at Naas but made no mistake in Grade Two company on Monday as he ran out a comfortable five-length winner.
The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham is next on the gelding’s agenda.
“I was thrilled with Made In Taipan as it was a decent Grade Two race and he has done it well,” said Mullins.
“He has come out of it well and Davy (Russell) said he took a good couple of blows down the back so we are hoping that he might improve a nice bit again before we get to Cheltenham.
“It was pretty testing in Navan but I won’t be too worried if it’s better ground at Cheltenham as I’d say he’s just as good on a decent surface.
“He wouldn’t want it fast but if it’s good to soft that would be perfect for him I’d say.”
Bob Lingo is set to return from a spell on the sidelines in the paddypower.com Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.
The seven-year-old looked to have the world at his feet when winning a maiden hurdle at Punchestown by 27 lengths in October.
His reputation took a big dent, however, when beaten at odds-on on his last start in November.
Trainer Tom Mullins believes there were excuses for that disappointing display and expects a much-improved showing in the Grade Two heat.
“Providing all is well with him on Friday, Bob Lingo will run at Naas,” said Mullins.
“He came out of his last race a little bit lame behind, but we couldn’t actually put our finger on what was wrong so we decided to give him a month off.
“He’s absolutely 110% now and worked very well (on Tuesday morning) so he is showing no ill effects. If he’s back to what he did at Punchestown a couple of starts ago, I’d be disappointed if he didn’t put up a bold show on Sunday.”
Bob Lingo will face a stiff examination in the Grade Two contest with the Willie Mullins-trained Kempes a possible for the race. Colm Murphy’s Zaarito is also an interesting contender.
