Available at 20/1 in October, PP have just slashed him to 4/6 from 10/11 (10/11 still available elsewhere).
Can he be the first Irish trainer since Vincent O'Brien in 1954 to make the Brits blush?
He trails Nicholls by 750,000 but there is a record 4 million worth of prize money at the festival this year.
He could easily amass 600,000 alone on the Tuesday with 350,000 up for grabs for the first 3 spots in the champion hurdle. I'd say if he wins the Gold Cup and Nicholls doesn't fluke a National then it's goodnight Irene.
Obviously you have to take into account something like a bug but you wouldn't mitigate much of a price for that. Willie is a complete game changer and has altered every facet of betting from hurdling debutantes to ante-post betting. You hear old geezeers say ah you'd want even money on him making it to the race. What was the last ante-post festival WPM trained hot-pot that didn't make it to the tape? I discount CF as not being a hot pot last year in terms of price,have I missed one or was it prior to foot and mouth?
As for Nicholls,for once I'd agree with Theodor - "Nothing but a Mongrel". By all accounts he is going through some personal issues at the moment but is it acceptable to be swanning of to Barbados for a few weeks in a critical preparatory period? He always seems to be attempting to conceal his true personality in interviews.One non-handicap winner over the last 3 years at the festival is an awful tally and difficult to see him winning any non-handicap race this year. One pot he might have a chance of landing is the BF hurdle next week in the green and gold as JP likes to target that race with decent novices.
While there isn't any doubt Ruby's god is money, Willie is still a Mullins but he's very interested in his legacy and breaking every record going. He has to be a ruthless winner and will realise that the extent of his domination won't last forever. There was some interesting "arrangements" when Patrick broke the record a couple of years ago and if this is in the melting pot,they will throw a few surprising late arrows (second division artillery).
It was some achievement of Vincent OBrien,he won the Grand National that year with Royal Tan,that was worth around 10 Grand. He didnt win any of the big Cheltenham races nor did he win the King George.
Willie Mullins has a strong hand going into Cheltenham but I doubt they will all win and still think he has it all to do.
It was some achievement of Vincent OBrien,he won the Grand National that year with Royal Tan,that was worth around 10 Grand.He didnt win any of the big Cheltenham races nor did he win the King George.Willie Mullins has a strong hand going into Chelte
nicholls has never been weaker in the stock department, if mullins only has half as good a festival as expected he,ll do it..he also has aintree, and the big meeting @ayr..
nicholls has never been weaker in the stock department, if mullins only has half as good a festival as expected he,ll do it..he also has aintree, and the big meeting @ayr..