Patrick Mullins Insists Closutton Team Are Taking Nothing For Granted Ahead of Sandown Jump Finale
As the jump racing season draws to a close, Patrick Mullins has insisted that his Closutton team are taking nothing for granted ahead of the final day at Sandown Park. The team are long odds-on favourites to retain the trainers’ title, but Mullins is aware that a strong finish is needed to secure the crown.
“It’s hugely exciting, very different from last year in that we’re going in over £60,000 behind, and are going to need a few results and for the ball to bounce our way,” Mullins told Sporting Life. “Really, Gaelic Warrior is the main player, the one you’d say he should win, but obviously he can have his off days as well. Two miles six around Sandown should suit him very well and if he can turn up at his best it looks like a good opportunity for him.”
Gaelic Warrior is set to take part in the bet365 Oaksey Chase, and Mullins is hopeful that the horse can give the team a strong start. “But we’re going to need him. That’s the first race we have runners in and if we don’t get a good result in that it puts us on the back foot straight away but hopefully Gaelic Warrior can kick start the day,” he added.
The Closutton team also have a strong chance in the bet365 Select Hurdle with Kitzbuhel, who flies solo in the event. Mullins revealed that the team were considering running Lossiemouth but ultimately decided to stick with Kitzbuhel. “We were thinking of running Lossiemouth but Willie decided we were going to keep her for Punchestown so we go with Kitzbuhel,” he said. “He ran way too keen with Paul in the three-mile race at Aintree so I think you can draw a line through that and it doesn’t maybe look quite as strong a race.”
The team are also set to compete in the bet365 Celebration Chase with Energumene and Il Etait Temps, and Mullins is aware that the competition will be fierce. “There’s huge prize money on offer here and if we went to Punchestown with Energumene you’d be taking on Fact To File and Marine Nationale, and there’s great place prize money on Saturday so thanks to Tony Bloom for allowing us to head to Sandown,” he said. “Il Etait Temps hasn’t run since last year but he’s been back in since Christmas and is ready to rock, he’s working and schooling well but this is a race where Jonbon should be very hard to beat.”
The bet365 Gold Cup is also set to be a closely contested event, with a team of 10 horses heading to post. Mullins believes that High Class Hero has a strong chance, but is also hopeful that some of the team’s other runners can pick up valuable prize money. “We love his profile and he’ll love this nice, good, ground and he has that novice element too,” he said. “Obviously, he was a little disappointing in Thurles last time but has a nice weight and Paul has chosen him. I think he ticks all the boxes and was the obvious one for Paul to ride.”
Mullins also highlighted Lombrom as a potential outsider who could cause an upset. “He has the nice profile, a novice, unexposed going up to this trip and Rachael Blackmore is on board,” he said. “He’s in the handicap and is the one that caught my eye of our bigger prices.”
The Closutton team will be looking to secure a strong finish to the season, and Mullins is aware that every single race will be crucial in their bid to retain the trainers’ title. “Again, if we don’t win it we need to be filling the placings, picking up 30, 40 or 50 grand minimum,” he said. “We won’t just be watching who’s winning, we’ll be counting back the field as they cross the line.”
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