MULLINS AT THE READY
Willie preps James Du Berlais for a Champion Hurdle upset
WILLIE MULLINS has 13 favourites lined up for the Cheltenham Festival next month, but it’s a 50-1 outsider the Co Carlow handler has primed to spring a shock result.
James Du Berlais, a former French-trained gelding, will be having his first outing for Mullins in the Unibet Champion Hurdle after recently joining his powerhouse stables.
“He was bought as a novice chaser for next season,” said Mullins (right). “It’s a long time to wait so we put him in training.
“I was delighted to see he’s rated 167 – that puts him in there with a shot.
“It will be a true run race and that will suit him.”
Mullins clearly rates the gelding and, as the most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with 72 winners, he is not noted for having fanciful runners there just to have a day out.
Having dominated the meeting since Tourist Attraction gave him his first winner in 1995, Mullins hopes Chacun Pour Soi can make it a full house in the four headline races by capturing the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
“He’s one, if you had to pick from five of six, that we really are hoping can bring his A-game there,” said Mullins. Mullins is upbeat Al Boum Photo can emulate Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third time.
“I didn’t think when we bought him, we’d be in this position, or indeed the day that he ran out in Punchestown,” said Mullins.
Monkfish, with next year’s Gold Cup a longrange target, is another Mullins hotpot in the Brown Advisory Chase.
“He’s one I’m looking forward to,” he said. “Anyone who rides him says you have so much bonnet out in front of you.”