Mullins sides with Ballycasey for Ascot assignment

Willie Mullins has chosen Ballycasey over Champagne Fever as his representative in the Betfair Ascot Chase tomorrow.

Although longer in the ante-post betting for the Grade 1 contest, Ballycasey gets the nod ahead of his fellow Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned grey, who looks set to stay at home to run in the same day’s Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

Ballycasey finished fourth in last year’s RSA Chase on his only start in Britain and is a best-priced 6-1 chance with the sponsors after being declared in a small but select field of six.