Willie Mullins fit and fired up for all that lies ahead in ‘the National Hunt season proper’
A happy Willie Mullins pictured this morning at hos County Carlow stables. Pic: Healy Racing
The summer season is not and probably never has been a focus for Willie Mullins, and the one just past was the perfect example of that.
But this one is behind us now and Mullins’ recent success in the Kerry National, with Spanish Harlem, was an apt tee-up to what is fondly known as ‘the National Hunt season proper’.
Looking suitably freshened up by a summer’s grass, Mullins welcomed the media into his Closutton base for an early inspection of his cohort of equine superstars before all darting off to a favourite haunt, the Lord Bagenal Inn, for a look ahead to the winter.
Not much has changed. With a winter-spring programme that has been finely tuned over many a year lending itself nicely to each of the major festivals, they are all in the eyeline of the champion trainer, who has the retention of his Irish and UK titles also at the forefront of his mind.
Even to an untrained eye, the assembled stars, of which dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, should-be dual Champion Hurdle winner State Man, Grand National hero Nick Rockett, two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Fact To File and Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever are but a few, are quite a way off peak condition, but that’s just the way it ought to be, with the first steps on the well-worn paths through the season still some time away.
One exception to that rule is Il Etait Temps, who was brought in just a little earlier than usual with the Tingle Creek in mind. Were this to plan to come off, this would, of course, be an early boost in his bid for a third consecutive trainers’ championship in Britain.
“I’m trying to get him ready for the Tingle Creek,” he revealed. “It’s not a race I’d normally go for, but he performed so well at Sandown, in the Celebration Chase, it would be a missed opportunity not to go for it.
“He came in a little earlier and we might try and run in the Clonmel Oil Chase if we can, if the ground is nice, and get a run into him. Otherwise, we’re going to have to go there without a run.
“But that’s what intrigued me about his performance in the Celebration Chase – I think he was off for a long while before that. Going over there, I was hoping that he might be fit enough to get in the first four or five and get in the prize money – and that was the object of the exercise: we were trying to win the British title.
“He probably wouldn’t have been entered other than that, and then the performance he gave on the day was a huge one, beating Jonbon.
“If that form is proper form, which we’re going to find out during the season, he’s going to be a great addition to our top chasing ranks.”
Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs will tread a familiar path back to the Festival, where he was carried out on his shield following his bid for a third win in the race.
“He’s only nine so he’s young enough to have another go at the Gold Cup and to be a real force. He ran really well last year, and I think he’s still got enough in him to be a real contender this year.”
But for that desperately unfortunate late departure, State Man would surely be a two-time Champion Hurdle winner, and a fourth run in that race is his season’s target.
“He was very unlucky at Cheltenham last season, and he showed us all what Paul had been telling me - he had no doubt that he was always going to ride him, even if Lossiemouth pitched up in the Champion Hurdle.
“It was probably hard to see on the evidence, but State Man is an older, lazier horse and was probably only doing half of what he's able to do. He'll start off in the Morgiana."
The aforementioned Lossiemouth was a late defector to the Mares’ Hurdle, where she was so impressive, and is likely to remain down that road, but Anzadam, who carries the same colours as State Man, is another form whom Mullins has Champion Hurdle pretensions.
Nick Rockett turned into a real star last term, winning the Thyestes en route to the Aintree for that famous victory under the trainer’s son, Patrick. Given his rate of progress, it’s quite possible he could wind up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, even if a return to Aintree is the most obvious route.
“To me, he’s quite entitled to be entered in the Gold Cup. However, looking at the way he handled Aintree – he’s a natural around there – he’s going to have to have a look at going back. Can he carry the extra weight in the National or should we have a crack at the Gold Cup? We’ll give him a run or two to start and see how he is.”
With Bambino Fever, Majborough, Jasmin De Vaux, Gaelic Warrior, Irancy, Final Demand, and Jade De Grugy just a few more names amongst the luminaries whose progress through the season must be navigate through the season, it’s an enviable headache for the Closutton maestro, who looked fit and fired up for all that lies ahead.
The run to a 20th Irish trainers’ championship is about to find another gear, as is the bid for a third UK title. Buckle up and enjoy another Mullins masterclass. It’s the great constant in Irish jumps racing.
