Recall can put National flop in past as he goes for Gold
WILLIE MULLINS is throwing his four best staying chasers at today’s €250,000 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup. Total Recall, Killultagh Vic and last year’s runner-up Djakadam all ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Bellshill made a bold bid in the Irish National, being beaten just a length. Since Cheltenham, Total Recall was sent off favourite for the Grand National but an early error put him on the back foot and he never threatened to get involved. Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: ‘Total Recall made an early mistake or two and after that it knocked his confidence and Paul [Townend] wasn’t hard on him, so it didn’t take much out of him. ‘The worry is that sometimes horses come back from Aintree and can jump a bit careful, but he’s schooled well. ‘Punchestown should be easier for Killultagh Vic to get into a rhythm. He definitely has the ability and if he does get into a rhythm, he must have a huge chance. ‘Bellshill has a huge engine. You don’t know how much of a mark Fairyhouse might have left, but at home we can’t see one and we’re expecting a big run.’ Mullins jnr, who yesterday rode Un De Sceaux to victory in the featured Champion Chase, maintains his partnership with Djakadam, whom he partnered into fifth at Cheltenham. ‘I got a great spin off Djakadam in the Gold Cup. A lot of those who finished in front of him at Cheltenham aren’t here, so that gives him a good chance.’ Gordon Elliott runs Outlander, who has been pulled up on his last two starts but did win a Grade One earlier in the season. ‘He’s won another Grade One for us this season at Down Royal and was only beaten a neck at Leopardstown in February and three lengths there at Christmas,’ said Elliott.