Mullins’ special Bond with Fairyhouse race
WILLIE MULLINS is doublehanded in his bid to secure a record eighth victory in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, one of three Grade Ones on the card.
It is 20 years since the champion trainer first landed the Grade One prize with Alexander Banquet and it took him another 10 years to double up with the brilliant Hurricane Fly.
However, he has dominated the race in the last decade - scoring with Zaidpour (2010), Sous Les Cieux (2011), Nichols Canyon (2014), Long Dog (2015) and Airlie Beach (2016) - and appears to hold a strong hand once again.
Airlie Beach provided the Supreme Horse Racing Club with its first and only top-level success to date when triumphing two years ago and the successful syndicate – who will be bidding for compensation following Kemboy’s withdrawal from Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury due to travel problems – have another leading contender in Aramon.
The German import has won two of his three starts since arriving in Ireland, most recently running out an impressive winner of the For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan three weeks ago. Paul Townend keeps the ride.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: ‘Aramon won very well in Navan and we’ve been happy with him since. He’s a horse that works well at home and we’re expecting a big run from him.’
Back in fourth when strongly fancied for the same Grade Three contest at Navan was Aramon’s stablemate Quick Grabim and Ruby Walsh keeps the faith with him.
Mullins added: ‘Quick Grabim had to carry a penalty in Navan and obviously he doesn’t on Sunday, with it being a Grade One. He also made a mistake at the second-last that day, so I think we can draw a line through that and I’d be expecting a much improved performance.’
Gordon Elliott also fires a twin assault, with the exciting Commander Of Fleet his main contender. The trainer, and owners Gigginstown, have a second declared runner in Tintangle, who was a narrow winner at Thurles on Thursday.
Joseph O’Brien had four winners at Fairyhouse yesterday and his Triplicate is the fifth and final runner.
Elliott and Gigginstown hold the key to the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, with Apple’s Jade looking for a hat-trick in the race. The mare has won 11 of her 17 career starts overall, including seven Grade Ones.
Having warmed up for her return to Fairyhouse with victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan – just as she did last season – Apple’s Jade is favourite to become the third three-time winner along with Limestone Lad and Solerina.
‘She’s a great bit of stuff – she’s won seven Grade Ones. She doesn’t owe us too much and whatever she does from now on is a bonus,’ Elliott said. ‘On ratings she looks like the one to beat. She’s in great form at home and we couldn’t be happier with her.’
Apple’s Jade is one of four runners for Elliott along with Dortmund Park, Farclas and Sutton Place. Fomer Stayers’ Hurdle winner Supasundae represents Jessica Harrington, while Limini could be the best of Mullins’ quartet.
In the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase O’Brien is looking forward to seeing Le Richebourg put his unbeaten record over fences on the line Elliott’s Delta Work and Mullins’ Cadmium leading the contenders.