Mullins has faith in his True Self

Willie Mullins is accustomed to lifting some of jump racing’s biggest prizes, but TRUE SELF (York, nap, 3.40) can provide the legendary irish handler with success in this afternoon’s sky Bet ebor. sixth in last season’s running of the staying feature, the globetrotting seven-year-old is equipped with the tongue tie for the first time and that may help her see out the race a little better this time round. A three-length defeat by Mustajeer 12 months ago was perhaps a disappointing yield given the Oscar mare travelled powerfully throughout and was going so easily that she hit the front two furlongs from home. But she wilted from that point and her critics may suggest that was through a lack of stamina in a strongly-run race. subsequent performances in Australia don’t back up that theory, although her chance probably does rest on her rider Jason Watson encouraging the selection to settle and travel within herself as she can often race exuberantly. Thankfully, the strong pace a large field often generates should help in that respect and two recent runs in Group races in ireland since racing resumed have encouraged a little respite from the handicapper. Mullins has been rattling along at a near 50-percent strike rate in the last fortnight with winners under both codes and the figures suggest his mare produced a lifetime best in this race last year, so hopes are high she can go close again. it is no surprise to see impressive Ascot winner Fujaira Prince at the head of the market as that was a Group class performance in all but name, while Pablo escobarr ran out a Group Three winner at Goodwood when a change to more patient riding tactics reaped rewards.