Mullins has strong hand in Bobbyjo

Keith Hamer
February 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Burrows Saint taken out and could head straight to Aintree.

Willie Mullins is responsible for four of the six runners in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday, as he seeks a 10th win in the race and fifth in a row.

The Closutton handler saddles Bellshill, Voix Du Reve, Acapella Bourgeois and Pleasant Company, with the latter taking this prize in 2017.

Mullins assistant, former jump jockey David Casey, gave the rundown on the quartet.

“All the team are in good form,” he said.

“Bellshill has been a little bit disappointing, but he has run well at the track before and the conditions of the race suit him.

“Acapella Bourgeois didn’t make the frame in the Thyestes, but he still did well to finish sixth. With a better run on the day, I think he’d have gone close.

“Pleasant Company is a little bit wrong at the weights, but he’s in good form. It’s another step ahead of the English National for him.

“Voix Du Reve has an entry in the National, but he needs to finish in the first four to qualify.”

Taking on the Mullins troops are Henry de Bromhead’s Sub Lieutenant and Alpha Des Obeaux from Gordon Elliott’s stable. Both hold entries in the Grand National at Aintree on April 4.

Mullins withdrew his other entry, Burrows Saint, at the final declaration stage.

Last year’s Irish National hero could go head for the Randox Health Grand National without another run.

The seven-year-old, who is 12-1 second-favourite for Aintree behind dual winner Tiger Roll, landed a hurdle race at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve on his latest start.

“We just decided to bypass it, but he’s in good order,” said Casey.

“He has no plans to run at the moment. The National is the target and he might go straight to Aintree without another run.”