Willie Mullins column: Sunday runners

By Willie Mullins

Sporting Life Plus

Sun January 19, 2025 · 2M ago

Our star columnist on his Thurles Sunday runners and his recent winners including Salvator Mundi.

I was very pleased with Salvator Mundi in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer at Punchestown last Sunday.

He pulled very hard in what was a slow-run race and wasn’t able to show off his jumping ability against race-fit and experienced horses with decent form but was still able to win.

It looked like he blew up after jumping the second last turning for home and he still had enough in reserve to put a good horse like Kel Histoire to the sword.

I’d imagine he’ll go straight to Cheltenham.

Salvator Mundi - too short for the Sky Bet Supreme?

Salvator Mundi winning the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer

The runner-up might go for a longer race at the Festival in March, being by Masked Marvel he’ll have lots of stamina and just doesn’t have that gear the likes of Salvator Mundi have.

Lecky Watson jumped very well in the main in the Sky Bet For The Fans Novice Chase but made one mistake six out and gave us all a fright at the last, but the second horse made a bad mistake there as well.

Overall, I was pleased with him, and it was a nice jump up from Naas to beat a field like this at Punchestown. He’s started very well over fences.

We missed the Christmas programme with Funicili Funicula and he’s a horse I was always looking forward to getting out.

He’s shown all the right stuff at home, and he’ll get entries for all the top novice hurdles at Cheltenham. He looks quite a speedy type, but I’ll talk to Paul more about that and he’s certainly one that will give his owner lots of good days in the future.

Fishery Lane disappointed us on his first run of the season where he was beaten by stablemate Inn At The Park but I was very impressed with him back at Fairyhouse this week. Paul set out to make the running and one after another, horses took him on at the head of affairs but every time they did he put his head down, battled them off, and still had enough left to win.

I thought it was a very impressive performance, his jumping got better and he’s an idle sort who only does enough. Both Paul and I were very impressed with how much he had left in the locker and what he could pull out when he needed to.

Kiss Will looks a real nice type for the H.O.S Syndicate. He seemed to dominate his race the whole way, travelled well and asserted early in the straight. He gave us a bit of a scare at the last when horse and jockey had a bit of a miscommunication, but he was sure of himself. Like a lot of French horses, you leave it to them and they take care of it.

He’s another who will have entries in the novice races at Cheltenham. I’m not sure we’ll get another run into him before then but I’m not sure he needs one either. With his experience he’ll be fine.

Kappa Jy Pyke did it nicely at Punchestown albeit he was a little lucky with Don’tstopthemusic falling at the last, but our fellow was running a very nice race and looks to be improving. He’s by a nice sire in Masked Marvel and is sure to improve again.

Magic McColgan is a half-sister to Tornado Flyer who won a King George for us and won her race very well on the same card. Paul was very happy and she’s a nice type being by Flemensfirth she’ll handle softer conditions and a stamina test. Flemensfirth mares are always nice to go forward with.

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