Mullins team excited by Fairyhouse chances

Horse Racing
Mullins names strong Auteuil team

Willie Mullins’ assistant, David Casey, believes that Voix Du Reve and Real Steel can challenge in the Ryanair Gold Cup on Sunday.

The duo are set to compete in the feature race at Fairyhouse this weekend as Mullins tries to win it for the second year running.

Al Boum Photo won the Grade One event 12 months ago before then kicking on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

Ruby Walsh will partner Voix Du Reve and Casey is expecting a better performance despite the fact he has failed to finish his last two races.

He said: ‘Voix Du Reve looked to be going well in Cheltenham when he unseated Ruby.

Before that he was third behind Le Richebourg in Leopardstown over Christmas and he was upsides in front when he fell at the last in another Grade One the next day.

‘He’s got some solid form in the book and we think two and a half will suit him well.

‘ Jockey Paul Townend is set to team up with Real Steel and he will be hoping to build on his sixth-place finish in the JLT Chase.

When asked about his chances, Casey added: ‘Real Steel made a couple of mistakes at the wrong time in Cheltenham and still ran well enough.

‘There are less runners on Sunday, which will probably make things a bit easier for him, and he was in good form going over to Cheltenham.

‘There’s probably not a lot between the two of them and you’d hope they’ll both be competitive.’

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