DOWN TO THE LAST PUNCH

Mullins ready to heap big pressure on Elliott as the trainers title nears finish

FOR the fourth time in just six weeks the equine troops of Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins are set to square up to one another in battle.

As Ireland’s two top trainers tighten their girths for the Punchestown Festival, Elliott has held the high ground of spring, chinning Mullins for the trainer’s title at Cheltenham, the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and the Grand National at Aintree.

At Cheltenham, Mullins was in front until the 27th race of 28 at the meeting, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle, won by Elliott’s Blow By Blow.

At Fairyhouse, Elliott’s General Principle and Mullins’ Isleofhopendreams were separated by a head, which was also the distance between Tiger Roll and Pleasant Company at Aintree eight days ago.

In financial terms, the difference in prizemoney claimed by Elliott over Mullins was significant, almost €515,000.

By coincidence, that is almost exactly the deficit, €518,000, Mullins must make up this week as he seeks to retain his Irish trainer’s title and deny Elliott a first. He will fight to the very last.

At Fairyhouse on Tuesday last, he ran 10 runners in a Grade A €100,000 handicap hurdle and finished first, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh to claw back some ground.

Not that Elliott was backing off. He saddled four runners in the race, who finished second, eight, ninth and tenth.

While the gap seems excessive for Mullins to claw back, and he will miss the canny contribution of the injured Ruby Walsh, there is huge prize money at stake this week with 12 Grade One races, four of them carrying booty of €275,000 each.

In the elite races, Mullins appears to hold a stronger hand than Elliott as he has Douvan, and Un De Sceaux (Great Field has suffered a setback which has ruled him out) for the Champion Chase, Djakadam, Bellshill for the Gold Cup, Melon, Min and Wicklow Brave for the Champion Hurdle, and Penhill, Bacardys and Coquin Mans for the Stayers Hurdle.

Elliott is spread that bit thinner and the schedule of the Festival means two of his stars, Apple’s Jade and Farclas, are likely to run on Saturday.

The key to Elliott protecting his lead is where his unbeaten novice Samcro runs, and how he does.

If owner Michael O’Leary is serious about assisting Elliott to the trainer’s title, the impressive winner of the Ballymore Hurdle at Cheltenham could be aimed at Friday’s Champion Hurdle over two miles.

Should he land the first prize of €165,500, it would force Mullins to hit the bull with almost all his other high-calibre darts.

A year ago, Mullins trailed Elliott by nearly €400,000 heading into Punchestown but chalked up nine winners and drew clear on the final day to win by almost €200,000.

A similar fight-back is needed on the rolling plains of Kildare for what promises to be a gripping climax to the National Hunt season.

Blow by blow.