+ Log in to read full article
The top amateur rider shares his thoughts

Patrick Mullins Punchestown Festival preview: Thursday rides


Patrick Mullins has nominated a horse at Punchestown on Thursday who could be his best chance of claiming a winner at the meeting.

The Grand National-winning rider had a Grade 1 second aboard Salvator Mundi on the opening afternoon of the five-day Festival and is looking ahead to what's still to come including Majbororugh in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase and a couple of old stagers in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle.

"Another big day on Thursday," he said. "We've nothing in the La Touche Cup which is probably the highlight of the week here so that's unfortunate but Majborough tries to atone for his Arkle faux pas.

"I don't know why he jumped well all the way and then just lost his confidence at the second-last but hopefully he'll get back to his best. He's schooled well at home but of course you don't know until you come under pressure and Only By Night will put him under pressure.

"We'd be thinking that he can put in a clear round and be right back to his best.

"In the Stayers Hurdle we run Asterion Forlonge and Winter Fog, two admirable veterans. Winter Fog goes up in trip again here which I think could suit him and I hope he could get into a place.

"One I'm really looking forward to - probably my best chance of a winner all week - is Ksar Fatal in the winners-of-one bumper.

"It was obviously very heavy ground when he won at Gowran Park and it will be a different test for him here but I think he can handle it and reckon he's a very good horse."


Next Off

Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING