Mullins more than happy with Al Boum Photo after Tramore return
‘I was much happier when I analysed it at home than I was leaving the racetrack’.
Willie Mullins reports dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo to have come out of his traditional season-opener at Tramore in great heart. The nine-year-old will be bidding to join an elite list of National Hunt greats in March, with Golden Miller (five times), Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate the only horses to have won the blue riband more than twice. Minutes after he crossed the line on New Year’s Day, Mullins was rather nonplussed with the performance and briefly contemplated another run before March – but on reflection he feels the run was better than it appeared. “He seems great after his run,” said Mullins, speaking at Fairyhouse on Sunday. “I think the longer break, with not going to Punchestown, he was a bit more ring-rusty than we expected. “The first two miles of the race were run at two-mile pace with Djingle cutting out a fast pace. “When we put it all together I was much happier when I analysed it at home than I was leaving the racetrack. “He didn’t stop going through the line. He just idled mid-race when he had no company around him. Danny (Mullins) was way ahead on Acapella Bourgeois. “He just idled, but once he got close to him around the home turn, to beat a 150 horse 19 lengths could be as good as any performance over Christmas.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Adrian Heskin calls time on his race-riding career
‘I’m very proud of my career and achieved far more than I could have imagined as a kid’.
-
Gregarina makes her mark in Athasi debut
Joseph O’Brien’s French import could be seen at Royal Ascot.
-
Stripes earns his Irish Guineas ticket
Tetrarch Stakes winner will be back at the Curragh later this month.
-
City Of Troy staying on Derby path, says O’Brien
‘That’s the pattern he was going and that’s the way he’ll go’.
-
Whistlejacket upholds family honour to secure Royal Ascot ticket
Little Big Bear’s brother impresses at the Curragh.
-
French Derby target for Guineas fourth Ghostwriter
Clive Cox-trained colt promises to improve again at 10 furlongs.
-
French trip planned to put Chorister on song for Gold Cup
David Menuisier wants one more outing for his charge before Royal Ascot.
-
Hannon keen to head to the Curragh with Guineas duo
Newmarket-placed Rosallion and Haatem on course for Irish equivalent next.
-
O’Brien so close to joining elite list as Porta Fortuna just denied
The 25-year-old won British Classics as a jockey and came within a whisker of first as a trainer.