Three good chances for Mullins
WILLIE Mullins believes he has three live chances in the Emirates Cesarewitch today, with Buildmeupbuttercup, Stratum and Great White Shark all lining up at Newmarket.
Despite ruling the roost in the National Hunt sphere, Mullins is no stranger to plundering big prizes on the level and took this race 12 months ago with Low Sun. He has booked Frankie Dettori for ante-post favourite Buildmeupbuttercup, who has had her form boosted recently by Dermot Weld’s Kastasa, who narrowly beat her in a valuable affair at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.
‘Her last run has worked out fantastically, you couldn’t have asked for better,’ said Mullins.
‘She was giving the winner a stone and the winner has come out and won a Group race – that’s very good form.’ Stratum, ridden by Jason Watson, seems more at home on the Flat than over hurdles these days.
‘The thing with Stratum is he likes really good ground, so when he runs over hurdles it can be a bit soft for him,’ Mullins went on.
‘He stays really well, he’s got no problem on that front. I’m just not sure if the ground will be as quick as he’d prefer.’
A second mare running for Mullins is Great White Shark, who won a big pot at the Galway Festival and will be ridden by William Buick.
‘Great White Shark had a tremendous run at Galway, winning the big Connacht Hotel race, and then I ran her back again quickly over hurdles and she ran well,’ said Mullins.
‘She disappointed for some reason next time over hurdles, but I think that was my fault, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.
‘This was the race I was preparing her for and I think she’ll relish the ground and the trip. It looks like I’ve got three live chances.’
He added: ‘I’m hoping to get to Newmarket. I’ve a busy morning with owners, but if I can get a flight in time, I’ll be there. I managed last year, so hopefully I can again.’
Mark Prescott’s runners, Timoshenko and Land Of Oz, have been prolific winners but he feels he is fated never to win the big race.
‘Timoshenko won his last six and Land Of Oz won six of his last seven, so they’ve won an amazing number of races, but I won’t win the Cesarewitch with them because I never do!’ he said.