Bold claim: Patrick Mullins has no doubt about his top pick among the Closutton stars heading to Cheltenham.
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When asked which Closutton rider he would choose for next month’s Cheltenham Festival, Mullins gave a decisive answer: Gaelic Warrior in the Gold Cup. The longtime amateur champion believes the eight-year-old is perfectly suited for the demanding Gold Cup test, following Gaelic Warrior’s runner-up finish behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Fact To File, trained by Willie Mullins, is not yet entered in the Gold Cup and would require supplementation; the decision over whether he runs in the Gold Cup or the Ryanair Chase will rest with owner JP McManus. If McManus opts for Gold Cup glory, Gaelic Warrior could instead be aimed at the Ryanair, a race Mullins described as an ideal trial at Leopardstown. Yet, if you ask Mullins’ current jockey, there’s little doubt about the destination for Gaelic Warrior.
“I think he can win the Gold Cup,” Mullins stated. He pointed to his horse’s performances at Kempton and Aintree, plus Cheltenham’s inside-running ground, as favorable conditions that might help Gaelic Warrior settle. Leopardstown’s absence of an inside rail can make the field spread, but Mullins notes that Gaelic Warrior’s form outside Ireland is stronger, suggesting he could rebound.
At present, Gaelic Warrior is priced around 15-2 for the Gold Cup and about 9-4 for the Ryanair. Mullins also commented on ground conditions, saying softer ground would suit Gaelic Warrior, and he doesn’t anticipate problems with the track or undulations. He referenced Gaelic Warrior’s finishing surge from the second-last, suggesting stamina should not be an issue.
Final Demand, who won at Limerick over the festive period under Mullins’ guidance, is another horse Mullins believes can rebound after a tricky Leopardstown run with Paul Townend aboard. Mullins noted the horse didn’t hit its usual racing gear at Leopardstown and floated around; he is confident a reset and freshening up can restore his best form.
In the Champion Bumper, Mullins’ pick always draws attention. Although Love Sign D’Aunou heads the market, Mullins is excited about Heldam, with entries at Punchestown on Sunday. He praised Love Sign D’Aunou for a strong over-two-miles-two-furlongs performance and highlighted The Irish Avatar’s Navan showing as well. Our Trigger could be a contender, but weight constraints prevent Mullins from riding him. He’s keen to see Heldam again before Cheltenham, while downtimes for Champagne Fever, Ferny Hollow, and Allaho at Leopardstown over Christmas aren’t definitive setbacks.
Key upcoming races that could shape Cheltenham fields remain on the horizon, and pundits are watching closely as the festival approaches.
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