Patrick Mullins: 'I feel his performance went under the radar more than any of our horses'

Niall Tierney caught up with Patrick Mullins to pinpoint a few of the rising stars of Closutton, including some dark horses going forward.

King Rasko Grey

We’ve always thought a lot of him. He ran in two very good bumpers and then had a small setback, so we were disappointed not to get a bumper win with him.

He’s a big horse, a fine specimen, with a fantastic pedigree, and what he did at Limerick didn’t surprise us at all.

He had an eight-pound allowance for not having won a bumper, which helped, but we’ve always held him in high regard. He’s definitely a horse we’ll be looking at for that sort of level, and we’ll certainly have the Dublin Racing Festival in mind for him.

Leader D'allier

I definitely wouldn’t rule him out. The winner had already had two runs this season, and it looks like our horses, especially those having their first run of the season in our yard, are really needing that outing. We think he’ll improve a lot.

Fou de Toi

He’s a horse we think a lot of. He had a setback last year, so he missed the whole season, but he’s back in full training now. We’re hoping to get him out in a maiden hurdle sometime this month.

Copacabana

He’s had a little setback since his run at Navan, so he won’t be out in the next few weeks anyway.

Espresso Milan

I thought his performance went a bit under the radar. A lot of horses were running for the first time, and considering that, I think there should be plenty of improvement to come. He races like a real stayer.

I feel his performance went under the radar more than any of our horses making their first run in their first year here.

Bentraghill

He was very keen, so you can definitely upgrade that performance given how hard he pulled.

Willie has always been very sweet on him, and at the moment he’s the clubhouse leader in the bumper rankings at Closutton.

Heldam + The Wager

I’m a big fan of Heldam and I definitely wouldn’t forget him. The Wager is another horse I like — he was second in a bumper for Pat Doyle and he’s a brother to You Oughta Know. He’s named after a great book as well.

You Proof

I’d put him into the King Rasco Grey category. He had a setback after his bumper run. I would have thought he was a good horse; he got beaten in his bumper but I definitely wouldn’t overlook that form.

Galopin Des Champs

“He came out of the race 100%. We’re hoping to go back to the Dublin Racing Festival to try and reverse the form. It won’t be easy, but that’s the plan at the moment.”

Le Divin Enfant

“I think he ran too keen in front. We definitely think he’s better than that. We’ll go back to the Dublin Racing Festival and look to change tactics with him next time.”

Final Demand

When I won on Faugheen, he had Samcro pushing him all the way, and when Gaelic Warrior won, he had Il Etait Temps and Inothewayurthinkin to beat that day.

With Final Demand, I never really had to get into third gear. He gave me a fantastic feeling, but he definitely had an easier race than the other two.

I’m as excited as anyone to see what happens when he gets into fifth gear.

Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, Punchestown, 2.20 Sunday

At the moment, I think we’ll stay at Naas for Saint Baco, but he does have an entry in case something happens to Naas again. At this stage, Sober looks to be the number one for the Moscow Flyer.