In this week's Sporting Life Racing Podcast, Patrick Mullins talks in-depth on Appreciate It's return in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The unbeaten Honeysuckle is the odds-on favourite for the day one feature but Appreciate It has no scars inflicted on him by the wonder mare just yet and is second in the market at 4/1 with Sky Bet.
Not seen since he routed the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle field at last year's Festival, trainer Willie Mullins has opted against giving him a prep run ahead of the March 15 contest.
Taken away for a gallop away from the yard last week, the vibes coming out of the Mullins yard are strong and Patrick didn't try and disguise that in this week's Sporting Life Racing Podcast.
He said: “Yeah he did, he galloped really well, Paul [Townend] rode him, and we’re really happy with him.
“I think, with the way his season has gone, Willie is happy for him to go there first time. If he runs three or four weeks beforehand is there that bounce factor? It seems to effect every horse differently so we don’t know.
“We brought Penhill straight from Punchestown the previous April to win the Stayers’ Hurdle in March, straight out of novice company, which is what Appreciate It is going to have to do.
“Quevega did it too, so I think Willie is happy to back himself, keep the horse in one piece, get him there and what happens after that we can do no more.
“He’ll definitely give Honeysuckle something to think about.
“Can Appreciate It beat her on his seasonal debut, on his first run out of novice company? It’s a herculean task, but if one horse can do it, it’s him.”
To listen to the podcast in full, where you can hear Patrick’s thoughts on Stattler and more, just hit the play button via any of the platforms below.
