A FIVE-STAR ATTACK FROM MULLINS YARD
Trainer hopes to emulate 2019 National win
WILLIE Mullins has five runners as he attempts to win the BoyleSports Grand National at Fairyhouse for just a second time after Burrows Saint’s victory in 2019.
Mullins ended his hoodoo in style when saddling the first three home when the race was last run two years ago as it was cancelled due to the pandemic last year.
He will be hoping for a similar result again in the Easter Monday feature with the Closutton handler represented by Brahma Bull, Salsaretta, Agusta Gold, Dragon D’Estruval and Robin De Carlow, while Burrows Saint is a leading fancy for the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
His assistant David Casey gave the latest on the stable’s quintet. ‘The better ground will help Brahma Bull. He was pulled up in the Thyestes on heavy ground, but he will be better on the drier ground,’ he said. ‘Salsaretta ran well in Cheltenham. Hopefully that won’t have too much of an effect on her. It was a tough race, but the step up in trip will suit. Agusta Gold is new to the yard so we are still learning about her. She has some decent form in the book. The trip won’t be an issue. She goes there with a chance.
‘Dragon D’Estruval has been hunter chasing. The trip will suit and hopefully he can be competitive. Robin De Carlow hasn’t run for a long time, but has some very good form in the book. She might need the race after such a long break, but she has been working and schooling well so hopefully she can run a good race.’
Peter Fahey is hoping conditions are not too quick for The Big Dog, who is due to line up after claiming a game success in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February.
Top amateur Jamie Codd was in the saddle that day and the pair will maintain their association at Fairyhouse, as long as conditions will suit.
Fahey said: ‘He’s in good nick. It’s a very competitive race, but hopefully the ground isn’t too quick.’
Joseph O’Brien is surprised Sempo is prominent in the betting as he is short on experience. ‘In my opinion people might be getting a little carried away as he’s completed three of his five chase runs and now he jumps into an Irish National. I think it’s a bigger ask than what is being said,’ he told Betfair.
O’Brien expects his other runner, Home By The Lee, to put up a good show.
‘We’re looking forward to Home By The Lee as well, who has a little bit more experience but is still a novice,’ he added. ‘He wears a hood in his training as he can be a handful, but he stays very well.’
Ciaran Murphy has always felt Enjoy D’Allen might develop into an Irish National contender.
‘He does tick the boxes. I’m not saying he’s going to go and win, but the last day in Naas if he hadn’t fluffed his lines at the last, he galloped on through the line and we know he wants a little further than three miles,’ he said.
Noel Meade revealed he has had this race in mind for Brace Yourself for some time.
‘We’re happy he got in. It has been his target for a while. He had a good run over the trip at the end of last year,’ he said.
‘We’re very happy with his progress and very happy with the work he’s done, so we’re expecting a good run.’
Meanwhile, Jody McGarvey enjoyed a dream Easter Sunday as he completed a Grade One double aboard Janidil in the Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Having earlier won on the ‘Shark’ Hanlontrained Skyace in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final, McGarvey teamed up with Janidil, the outsider of three runners for Willie Mullins in the two-and-a-half-mile contest. At 12-1, Janidil led home his stablemates Franco de Port and Asterion Forlonge in a clean sweep for Mullins. «