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Gonna take the 79s on offer for The Storyteller. Don’t know if he’ll even run here but his form ties in nicely with some of the market leaders.
Any other Blaklion backers here? Gonna top up on him before the trial race, they’ve done well to keep him at 10-10.
Elliot must be bitterly disappointed with Outlander, although it’s no surprise. He’s always said how much of a National horse he is. Can see him running like a pig for the next season and a half just to get him down for next year.
All depends on whether Gigginstown would prefer a good run for their money in a Gold Cup, or in a National. I know what I’d pick.
Gonna have to go with Definitely Red off a very fair mark of 10-07. Don Poli however could prove to be too classy for them off a stone higher.
Conrgrats Sizing John, massive form boost for Douvan
Great ride from Robbie Power, absolutely delighted for him!All those are fair points except for the last. I take it you don’t go on social media much? If so you wouldn’t call it paranoia. Every second comment on At The Races, Racing UK or the Racing Post Facebook pages seems to be slating Mullins or Walsh.
People have a right to be frustrated and I’m sure this anti-Mullins/Walsh wave will pass, but it is just so tiresome.
Haha fair enough that is certainly up for debate. Personal opinion though, and I believe he will definitely be remembered as the greatest of the modern era by the time he’s said enough is enough!
No he wont and he isn’t
As for criticism, Henderson, Nichols and plenty of others have copped their fair share on forums over the years. Often pretty unfairly. It strikes me that Mullins in some peoples eyes is just too much of a poster boy (not a pretty one admittedly) national hero and defended regardless.
No one can doubt that he does have a pretty offhand attitude towards punters and racegoers (sandown was not a high point) but I do have some sympathy towards his last minute placing of horses.
Really Clive? Name 5 trainers of the last 30 years Mullins isn’t as good as?
I fully agree that the handling of the whole situation was terrible and it left a bad taste in the mouth. But what I am arguing is, however poorly Ricci and Walsh, or ‘Team Mullins’ as you call it, handled the build up, I do not believe punters were deceived on purpose. The only reason punters were so upset is because, as you have said, the effect Vautour had on both betting markets. If say Bristol De Mai was rerouted to the Ryanair this year, after being campaigned for the Gold Cup, Twister Davies wouldn’t receive half the backlash and venom Mullins did and does.
You could argue this is understandable due to the more profound effect Vautour would have on the outcome of either race, but this just places unfair pressure on team Mullins to get their plans 100% correct in advance which is impossible. I understand that comes with being such a high profile team with high profile horses but it is nevertheless unfair.
It is this pressure that no doubt resulted in Ricci making such a statement in the first place. I am not excusing him or Walsh, they are both probably media trained and should know the effect their comments have on punters money. In the case of Walsh it is obvious he doesn’t really care,but Ricci I feel made a completely genuine gaffe.
This is one of those topics that leaves people utterly divided and at the end of the day neither will know who is right or wrong about intentions etc. Ricci and Walsh misled everybody, but intentionally? I don’t think so. Is Mullins at fault? Not for a second.
Haha fair enough that is certainly up for debate. Personal opinion though, and I believe he will definitely be remembered as the greatest of the modern era by the time he’s said enough is enough!
Altior has taken a big drift and likewise the others have shortened. Hope you all got on at 4s and above.
The Tingle Creek was largely down to some poor choice of words from Ruby and Bookmaker spokespeople, deliberate or not? Who knows.
Personally I cannot imagine why the greatest National Hunt trainer and jockey of the modern era would risk their entire reputation and accomplishments for a few quid off Boylesports.
Gingertipster those comments were not directed at you mate, there was a post by another member upset about his ante post bet.
However, Vautour aside: Mullins entering his Exceptionals in top races with encouraging words attached – which has the affect of discouraging rivals from running – allowing his Lesser Exceptionals a much greater chance to clear up. Seems to happen too often to be just coincidence.
GR, if this is indeed the case, surely it’s up to other trainers to wake up?
If Monalee had been trained by Mullins I’m guessing there would have been uproar when he was pulled last weekend. Withdrawn from Leopardstown Sunday morning having been ‘declared in error’. So de Bromhead jocks up the horse on Friday morning and nobody realises until Sunday?
There does seem to be a strong anti-Mullins bias on forums and social media.
You can say “If Monalee had been trained by Mullins I’m guessing there would have been uproar”, THM… But does de Bromhead make a habit of declaring in error?
Does he make a habit of doing other stuff that looks suspicious or ungenuine? That’s the point. Anyone can point out things that another trainer has done that Mullins has been criticised for, but it’s the regularity of it happening that matters. Personally, if a trainer does something once or twice I am inclined to believe the trainer that it’s accidental. If it’s happening regularly then it’s less likely to be accidental.GT, Mullins enters all his horses up everywhere, everyone knows that’s no guarantee whatsoever that they will run. Have you examples of where Mullins entered his big guns, frightening off opposition and making things easier for ond of his lesser lights?
Even if this is the case, which I’m doubtful of, what is wrong with it? if other trainers are naive enough to take Mullins’ entries with anything other than a grain of salt then they’re probably not paying much attention.
I cannot agree more. People go on as if Mullins is some state-owned body competing in a private industry, using its position of power unfairly. He is just another private company! Terrible analogy but it is ridiculous that people feel Mullins needs to adjust his own, clearly effective, strategy to suit the other trainers. He has built his position of power from the ground up and deserves every bit of success he has. I am loath to say it, but one can’t help but feel it boils down to British frustration at Irish dominance.
The whole Vautour incident is such a tiresome crock of sh**.
Vautour was working poorly at home and Mullins, – who made no comment on where he would run – made a late judgement call and did what was best for the horse. As we know the Gold Cup can really take its toll on a horse, especially an ill prepared one.
Ricci, who admits himself has very little say in how his horses are handled, stupidly decided to say its Gold Cup or broke, which is understandable in all the excitement and flurry of the build up. Especially with a horse like Vautour. He didn’t know he wouldn’t run.
Now for some people to still be banging on about money they lost a year later on an ANTE POST bet – a bet which upon placing, you are fully aware will go down as a loser if the horse doesn’t run in the race – is incredibly pathetic. Its really quite simple, don’t back ante post if you can’t accept the inherent risks of such a bet. CAVEAT EMPTOR.
I should probably add rant over.
Willie has made it no secret in the past that he thinks Douvan would get 3 miles. You have to remember the caliber of horses Douvan works against at home and for Willie to say he could win any race at the festival?
He has probably kicked Djakadam aside many a time at home, and I remember seeing something like Douvan was the only horse able to get Vautour off the bridle. I fully believe we will see him run in this years King George if he is fit and healthy, for better or for worse.
Don’t get me wrong the Champion Chase is the Champion Chase, second only to the Gold Cup in my opinion, but when you have a horse that you believe could be the best you ever have , you want to win the best race there is.
Mullins says a lot of things, we all have eyes.
Of course Douvan “kicked Djakadam aside many a time at home”. That’s the problem when it comes to the Gold Cup, he’s all about speed speed speed, where as Djakadam has stamina. Douvan is yet to race further than 2m1f and although isn’t exactly “free” at that trip… can see his chances of settling well enough to stay 3m2f110yrds on a stiff track (or indeed any track) are minimal to none.
You really think Mullins hasn’t worked Douvan over an extended trip at home? Seems like someone he would have done in his earlier days. Douvan settles quite well in races where he is not running against only 3 or 4 sub par horses, take his Supreme or Arkle run for example. You’re right however ,UDS is indeed a perfect King George horse horse.
I get that vautour obviously, but if your a champion 2miler, destroying everything and anything, could potentially dominate it for the forseeable future, youd risk that to step up and “maybe” be as good over further
Rubys blog today virtually said the same thing, why would you want to step him up
Willie has made it no secret in the past that he thinks Douvan would get 3 miles. You have to remember the caliber of horses Douvan works against at home and for Willie to say he could win any race at the festival?
He has probably kicked Djakadam aside many a time at home, and I remember seeing something like Douvan was the only horse able to get Vautour off the bridle. I fully believe we will see him run in this years King George if he is fit and healthy, for better or for worse.
Don’t get me wrong the Champion Chase is the Champion Chase, second only to the Gold Cup in my opinion, but when you have a horse that you believe could be the best you ever have , you want to win the best race there is.
Great ride from Robbie Power, absolutely delighted for him!
Does he make a habit of doing other stuff that looks suspicious or ungenuine?