Sir Des Champs - Mullins Weekender Trainer File

And yet it is First Lieutenant who is weak and has been money for in the Jewson

Don't see any money for First Lieutenant in Jewson Spec.

£75 in one bet at 20. Not massive I grant you, but interesting nonetheless.

In fact I've just had a bet on First Lieutenant at 12/1 for the Jewson NRNB with the nanny goat just in case this most horrible of scenarios does actually play out

As regards The RSA, the whole market is weak probably due to the Grands Crus situation and as such fluctuations are magnified. Wish Giggingstown would just clear up running plans once and for all.

Yeah I totally agree its a weak market, but even so, I really don't like his price movement since last night so I think its prudent to hedge with a bet on the Jewson.

This would be a real bombshell for me personally as he is one of my top runners in Team Speculation

I'm on him at 20's for The RSA and really don't fancy him at all for The Jewson so very much a vested interest.

Surely if they really still think he is a Gold Cup horse it has to be the RSA for the Lieutenant.... surely???.... Has to be!!! Mouse won't change his mind at the eleventh hour, keep the faith in Mouse!! I need some sleep!!

With you all the way mate!

Think this could be an old comment? Maybe when Last Instalment was still in the RSA?

Don't think so, as he says "next week"

Well spotted specs !

Mouse Morris has always said 3m on good ground is FL's optimum conditions " He only really gets going after the last fence " so why run him in the Jewson ? If W Mullins wants his own way - and why not - then so should the Mouse. I've noticed a few nibbles for FL on exchanges for the Jewson, but it really is small money. Sir Des Champs' target is centred around Grand Crus imo, and when the Pipes show their hand, then the race will be chosen. But FL...it has to be the RSA.

sir des champs is rated very highly by the mullans yard. Gordan elliot has stated at belfast preview, it would win whatever race and the Gold cup in 2013. townsend would love to ride sdc in RSA, and hopes davy russell picks first lieutenant. O'leary has stated he does not mind horses running against each other, as long as it is in grade 1. SDC will be heavily supported whatever race it runs.

I think the trainer file quote concerning SDC is quite recent as he talks about some of his other runners next week working at the Curragh last week.

It seems to me that it's possibly the first Mullins quote that I've read that could be pointing SDC towards the Jewson ?.

I agree, I think that was by far the biggest clue as to where he will go given by anyone so far. Mullins also has lots of other options for the RSA, so hopefully SDS will still run in the Jewson, and I think he definitely will if GC runs in the RSA

I think it will be Jewson.  Took the 5/1 on Peddlers Cross today, but if Sire Des Champs does go Jewson I think I would rather be on him

Current betfair market tells you SDC goes for RSA

This time last week the Betfair markets strongly suggested Boston Bob would be heading down the Neptune route.

I just don't know why Mullins does it to be honest. Every year its the same.

Mullins has call the police for the jewson, so i'm sure he would like sir  des champs to run in the rsa.  Both have outstanding chances.

Would love SDS to go to the RSA.  Would make my Peddlers bet a bit nicer and give me something to back in the RSA.

*SDC sorry 

Seemingly WM gave a pretty strong hint at the Lep preview (currently ongoing) that SDC goes for the Jewson.  Just passing on what ive heard from a friend at the event.  In the immortal words "dont shoot the messenger" if incorrect or misleading!

"Strong hint" Will he? Won't he?

FFS Mullins what are you going to know in a couple of days time that you don't already know now?! How come virtually every other trainer seems to know what's going where except you?

It would be funny if he only trained a couple of outsiders but he has the likes of Boston Bob, Sire Des Champs, Sous Les Cieux, Thousand Stars, Blazing Tempo, Call the Police, Lambro, and Zaidpour.

His procrastination means that the markets on races involving these horses are all very light on here as nobody wants to get burned. We'll just all wait while you have a think Willie. No rush.

A bit of a pain in the Testimonials waiting for willie   wont'he .

Completely agree, the disdain for the racing public shown by Mullins is nothing short of a disgrace.

i really don't understand how he has campaigned Thousand Stars this season.

With Gigginstown already having FL in rsa, and Michael O'Leary making it clear that he wants SDC in Jewson.  And now Grand Crus looking likely to be in rsa and peddlers likely to miss festival.  It all points to SDC in Jewson.  Especially as it's been trained for Jewson all season.  This recent indecision only came about because of Last Instalments injury and Grand Crus possible defection.

I don't think Mullins is bothered too much about Grand Crus's participation. Clearly the RSA is his preference. The only way the horse runs in the jewson is if O'leary makes the decision.

i think waiting for pipe's decision is the most likely reason for mullins delaying his own decision.

He always makes his decisions at the last minute. Pipes choice of race is not relevant.

Are you sure? Will be a tad easier to win an RSA without GC IMO

Emmet Mullins put up Sir Des Champs for the RSA as his charity bet tonight

It is not as simple as it seems and is complicated by the Gigginstown horses. Ground conditions also come into it. In 2009 WM had Hurricane Fly and Cousin Vinny as horses with big chances for the two novice hurdles. If he had announced his decision early it would have been HF for the Supreme and CV for the Neptune. Everyone would have lumped on accordingly. However HF suffered an injury and CV ran in the Supreme. In that case everyone would have lost their money. So I do believe he is correct to wait until he is certain. It is certainly better than what has transpired with Peddlers Cross. It is very easy to say other trainers can decide but it is much easier for most others who are lucky to have even one horse good enough to run in those races. By the way WM has won the Supreme/Neptune more times than any other trainer.

99.9% going for RSA

Where'd you see/hear that, TheFormMan?

I got the impression last night that he was headn to the Jewson.Just my opinion but could be completely wrong.

Emmet Mullins confirmed it backstage at a preview night,it has not been made public yet,but they have already decided where they are all going,just waiting till they have travelled over safely before making targets public

Latest Market shift this morning... suggests SDC for the Jewson and Call The Police for the RSA....

This horse is crying out for 3 miles surely? Mullins seems to want him in the RSA but I know Gigginstown want him in the Jewson, simply because they refuse to believe First Lieutenant is not as good as they hoped. Nothing in FL's form this season suggests he will win this race, and Sir Des Champs, also a Cheltenham winner, looks to have stacks of improvement left, and keeps winning his races late on- he wants a stamina test.

I'd be disappointed if O'Leary overruled Mullins. The trainer knows best.

Surely this horse is crying out for 3 miles? He was very strong at the finish again LTO and looked in need of 3m last season at Cheltenham, so surly he deserves his chance? He has jumped pretty well and looks like he has loads left in the tank when they wake him up.

First Lieutenant has been poor this season and has hardly looked like the Gigginstown first choice.

I'll be very disappointed if Mullins allows Gigginstown to rule him.

I'd say the trainer should make the decision. Whether he does or not is another matter. I'd agree that he needs the 3 miles.

The horse is crying out for three miles = you haven't got a nice price for the Jewson. Has anyone noticed him being outpaced this season? No, he has travelled well on each occasion and on each occasion he has been ridden for a change of pace. He may eventually step up in trip but as he is unbeaten at the Jewson trip at this moment he most certainly isn't crying out for three miles. Last time out he was given a poor ride by Russell otherwise he would have won more easily.

The money is suggesting that the Jewson is the plan for SDC. First Lieutenant not confirmed for the Jewson suggests that too!

He beat a horse over the trip who was entered for the four miler. It's more to do with agreeing with the trainer with regards to what trip he needs, and not about not taking a price. I'm not that concerned if he runs over 2m 5f. There are some handy horses in that race.

9/1 on here for the RSA?

Jewson please Willie!

O'Leary- a true, nailed on numpty if he sends him to the Jewson.


He's a 3 mile future star, make no mistake about it.




If Sir Des Champs runs the Jewson, then Grands Crus wins the RSA because SDC is his biggest challenger.


Peddlers Cross, amongst others, will have too much speed for Sir Des in the Jewson.


Disappointing decision if it is the case.

A nailed on numpty for sending him over the trip he won at last year? The horse will stay 3 miles no problem I agree, but he's not short of pace. He was entered in the Arkles on both sides of the Irish Sea, and the speed he showed in last years Martin Pipe was breathtaking. Also, Gigginstown have First Lieutenant in the RSA, a horse who is tailor-made for the race imo.

Fav on here now forthe jewson decision made??? 3/1 fav now and peddlers drifted to 4/1

I think its the best horse in the Jewson, and running in that race will probably be best for the long term future of the horse

My thoughts aswell look what the RSA has done to last 3 winners

Cooldine - going hunter chasing next year
Weapons amnesty - Hasn't been seen
Boston Angel - Has he won another race?

Sure he'll be better over further, but as long as they go a real good clip in the Jewson, and he's within 3 lengths turning in I think he wins.

Completely agree. He stays very well but we must not forget he's not short of pace either. He travels like an absolute dream which is a huge help over any trip. He switches off and it takes a shake of the reins to wake him up but when that happens he's back on the bridle straight away. In this way he wastes very little energy.

Bill Esdaile ‏ @BillEsdaile


Arrived at Cheltenham racecourse... Sir Des Champs confirmed for Jewson

Now we know who wears the trousers !

Totally gutted.


First Lieutenant has done nothing over fences. Sir Des will be a very, very good chaser. Missed opportunity by Willie Mullins, who should have told Michael O'Leary to shut it and let him run in the RSA.

He is one of the biggest owners in Ireland (Mid recession), Willie is not going to fall out with him,  plus he knows i took the 7/1 with ladcrokes before NRNB and thought he would help me out of my peddlers mess.  Now the perfect end when it storms up the hill to do peddlers on the line!!

I was knee deep on peddlers for "PLAN A" before mccain took plan b.

Right decision for the horse and the right decision for most backers who have decent prices for the Jewson rather than those who have just followed the recent move in the markets towards the RSA.

I have sir des champs at 10/1 for the RSA, nrnb, so i'm obviously disappointed. I don't fancy first Lieutenant one bit.

got Sir Des for the Jewson, so pleased with this decision. Think he would be a contender in either race but feel the Jewson is the right decision with the long term wellbeing of a potential Gold Cup winner in mind.

Where does Call the Police go?

From the markets it looks like the Jewson, but has it been confirmed?

Bit disappointed as I already have Peddlers for the Jewson and was hoping to back Sir Des Champs in the RSA

Don't worry - put the money you would have put on SDC in the RSA on Peddlers

Still no confirmation? My 20/1 on FL & 10/1 on SDC for the RSA form a big part or my week.

Sorry 10/1 Jewson.