Mullins aims Total Recall at Aintree

Willie Mullins sees the Grand National as a more realistic long-term target than the Cheltenham Gold Cup for his Ladbrokes Trophy hero Total Recall.

Having made an impressive debut for Ireland’s perennial champion trainer in the Munster National at Limerick, the eight-yearold became the first Irishtrained winner of the race since Bright Highway in 1980 in beating Whisper in a thrilling finish.

Total Recall was trimmed to around 20-1 to provide his trainer with a first Gold Cup triumph at Prestbury Park in March, but Mullins is more inclined to aim for the famous steeplechase at Aintree the following month, for which he is a 25-1 shot with several firms.

“He came home on Saturday night and he’s fine,” Mullins told At The Races.

“He’d have to improve another 10lb to be competitive in a Gold Cup field. He looks a Grand National horse to me. That’s the route I would be going.”