Mullins double-handed as he seeks to continue Hilly Way domination
The champion trainer has saddled six of the last seven winners of the Grade Two contest, with Golden Silver running up a hat-trick between 2009 and 2011 and Our Ben and Scotsirish successful the two previous years.
Following last year’s comprehensive success, Twinlight fluffed his lines at Kempton in January and Naas in February, but he looked back to his best when making a winning return in last month’s Fortria Chase at Navan.
Mullins said: “Twinlight is going there in good form, but I’m not sure the ground will be to his liking. We’d definitely prefer softer ground for him.
“He surprised us in the Fortria, we’ve been happy with him since and he’ll love the track and the trip, but the conditions might not be ideal.”
Felix Yonger made a flying start to his novice campaign over fences last time around, but had to make do with minor honours when stepped up in class from Christmas onwards.
He was not disgraced on his seasonal debut when runner-up behind Moscow Mannon in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas.
“Felix Yonger wouldn’t be without his chance. He has to improve and the trip might be a bit on the short side for him, but he does have his conditions,” said Mullins.
Henry de Bromhead’s Days Hotel stopped the Mullins monopoly in this race two years ago, but was no match for Twinlight at Navan recently.
“He won it two years ago and was third last year, when he made a terrible mistake halfway through,” said De Bromhead.
“The softer the ground and the more of a test it is over two miles, the more it suits him.
