Limerick’s Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Steeplechase could be the ideal Christmas gift for Patrick Mullins as the Grand National-winning jockey looks to further strengthen his impressive record in the Grade One competition.
It’s sure to be a busy period for the decorated amateur as his father Willie sends his string of stars not only to Leopardstown for their festive gathering, but also to England, where top chasers Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior share top odds in Kempton’s King George VI Chase.
However, the Closutton team will also be present in Limerick, where the hugely exciting Final Demand is just one name among a five-strong Mullins contingent in a race the stable has won a record nine times.
The race was also fortunate for Mullins the jockey, who has taken advantage of a calendar clash with Savills Chase in the Irish capital to successfully partner the likes of Faugheen (2019) and Gaelic Warrior (2023) in recent years.
With a busy period on the horizon, Mullins said: “I should be in Leopardstown every day on December 28th showing Limerick for the Faugheen but you never know.
“There’s Final Demand, Jimmy Du Seuil and a few others in the race so there are some nice rides up for grabs. It’s also Savills day and so I’ve picked up some good ones in that race over the years.
“It used to be Emmet (Mullins) and he went down and won on a few like Sir Des Champs and it was a lucky race for us.”
He continued: “I don’t think I’ll be in Kempton and I’d be surprised if Paul (Townend) wasn’t riding Gaelic Warrior. I’m looking forward to a good Christmas but I’m not sure Santa is that good.”
Along with Final Demand and Jimmy Du Seuil, the Mullins team could be represented by Kitzbuhel, Gold Dancer and Predators Gold, while Connor King’s Oscars Brother and the Henry de Bromhead-trained The Big Westerner were also involved in the Limerick film.
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