Willie Mullins has dominated National Hunt racing in recent seasons, but the new kid in town, Gordon Elliott is poised to become champion trainer in Ireland and edged the battle for top honours at Cheltenham.
Mullins was notably quiet in terms of entries at Aintree and it all points to an onslaught of his top horses at the Punchestown National Hunt Festival which begins on Tuesday April 25th.
It may not be enough in the end for Mullins to close the gap of over €300,000 on Elliott in the title race, but winning Grade 1 races in front of the cameras is another type of success.
Annie Power, Arctic Fire, Djakadam, Let's Dance, Melon, Nichols Canyon, Penhill, Un De Sceaux, Vroum Vroum Mag are all set to race in County Kildare.
Mullins had 12 winners at Punchestown last year after saddling 16 the year before. He has been leading trainer at the Festival for the last 11 years.
Such statistics are factored into the price his horses will be, but I would keep an eye out for his runners in handicaps and also those which could be viewed as 'second string' horses which Ruby Walsh won't be riding. As the saying goes, if they turn up, they have a chance and Mullins demonstrated at Cheltenham that firing a number of darts at the dartboard is better than one, with wins on the Friday for Arctic Fire and Penhill, both steered to success by Paul Townend.
I am as certain as I can be that Mullins will have a very successful Punchestown. Watch his runners closely!
Here is the Carlow handler on former Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power:
"Annie Power is in good order and she is working well in preparation for Punchestown. We're very happy to have her back obviously and looking forward to seeing her out again," said Mullins.
"She's very adaptable and has top-class form over a variety of trips. Consequently she holds entries in the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle over two miles, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle over two-and-a-half and the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle over three miles so we'll decide on her target next week."
On Djakdam:
"I was disappointed with Djakadam's run in Cheltenham as I thought he was in great form going into the race but hopefully he'll return to form in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup as he likes this track," said Mullins.
"From only four starts over Punchestown's fences, he has won two John Durkans and finished second in the Gold Cup twice. With two of the last three Cheltenham Gold Cup winners likely to run in this year's race, Coneygree and Sizing John, it looks like it will be an exceptionally strong renewal, which is as it should be. More and more English owners want runners in Ireland, or now have their horses trained here, because of the excellent prize money on offer."
On Un De Sceaux:
"I'm very happy with Un De Sceaux," added Mullins. "He was brilliant when winning his third consecutive Grade 1 chase at Cheltenham last month and given he's unbeaten in three starts at Punchestown, I'm very much looking forward to seeing him contest the BoyleSports Champion Chase."
On Ballycasey:
"Ballycasey has had a great season thus far, recording four wins - three in Grade 2 company - and he will come back in trip to contest the two-mile Grade 1 Boylesports Champion Chase on the opening day of the festival. He's well after his Fairyhouse win."
On Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire:
"Nichols Canyon is fine and he will go for the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle," said Mullins. "Arctic Fire has come out of his County Hurdle win at Cheltenham very well and he is on course for Punchestown. He'll probably go for the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle at this stage but he has won over two-and-a-half miles so the three-mile Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle could be an alternative for him as well. We'll keep all options open until closer to the day but he is in great form."
On his top Mares:
"Let's Dance has kept on improving all season," said Mullins. "She was second in the Grade 1 AES Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown last year and has won all five of her starts since. I was very pleased with her win at Cheltenham and she's come out of it in good form.
"Whilst she's in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, it probably makes sense to stick to novice company with her this season and so the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle over 2m 4f or the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle over three miles are the more likely options for her.
"Vroum Vroum Mag is so versatile she could go anywhere. She holds an entry in both the BoyleSports Champion Chase and the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup over fences but at this stage we'll probably stick to hurdles with her for Punchestown so we'll pick between the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle, the Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle and the Mares Champion.
"But last year's winner Whiteout will definitely attempt to retain her title in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle."
On Melon and Penhill:
"Melon is in great form after Cheltenham and will go for the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle where he could be joined by a few of his stablemates as well," added Mullins.
With three consecutive wins over two miles under his belt, Bleu Berry looks an exciting young horse. He is in the Herald Champion Novice over two but at the moment it looks like we might step him up in trip to contest the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle over two-and-a-half miles. He's in good form.
Penhill has various entries but he is being aimed at the three-mile Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle, that's the race for him. He's in good nick too."
On his Juvenile Hurdlers:
"Bapaume came out of Cheltenham well and is being aimed at the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on the final day of the Festival where he might be joined by Dandy Mag, Meri Devie and possibly a new recruit from France in Orion D'Aubrelle," continued Mullins.
There are some very good bumpers at Punchestown too and we have a nice team of horses to contest those."
