A Dream To Share does it again at Punchestown

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A Dream To Share proved beyond any doubt he is the best bumper horse in training with a tenacious victory in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.

Not only was he following up his Cheltenham Festival success, he was completing a five-timer in the process, almost unheard of in the bumper sphere.

It was Willie Mullins’ Tullyhill who made the winner pull out all the stops on this occasion, with the Cheveley Park Stud-owned five-year-old taking a big step forward from his sole win at Gowran.

Patrick Mullins travelled into the home straight seemingly going much better than his teenage contemporary John Gleeson, who was hard at work on the odds-on favourite.

The two got close together inside the final furlong, but A Dream To Share (8-11), trained by the veteran John Kiely, showed he had guts to go with his undoubted ability, and once on top he forged three and three-quarter lengths clear.

It was just the third time in 11 years Mullins had not won the premier bumper at the Punchestown Festival.

John Gleeson salutes the crowd
John Gleeson salutes the crowd (Brian Lawless/PA)

Gleeson said: “I can’t believe it, I’m very, very lucky to be honest.

“He’s a very, very special horse and I’m very lucky to be riding him.

“I thought when Jody (Townend on It’s For Me) went along the outside, we got racing plenty early and I was just trying to bide my time. You can get sucked in there a bit early around that bend to get racing.

“He’s so straightforward, he has so much class. It just wows me. He’s such an honest horse, he gives you 110 per cent every morning, even on the gallop. He tries his heart out for you and he had to dig deep today.

“I thought he was even more impressive today to show that toughness.”

Kiely said: “He’s an amazing horse to keep his form for so long.

“He had to dig deep at the end, I think Patrick’s horse is a very decent horse. John was against a strong man and did well for his age.

“The races all came at a distance apart, they were timed that we were able to work it. The space between Dublin, Cheltenham and now suited us.

“JP (McManus) was a great man to go out and buy him, but he bought a nice horse.

“He’s a great battler, he battles well and that’s a big plus. I couldn’t have had him better and I was delighted with him coming here.”

He went on: “He had jumped before we thought anything of him, but since he showed us something we were minding him. From here on now I’d say he’ll learn to jump.

“I’ll keep going for another while but very soon my nephew Tommy is going to join me on the licence.

“He’ll take over and do long journeys and I can sit back and watch. I’ll be around though for as long as I’m left.

“This horse is worth getting up for in the morning, but checking his legs is a worry every day!”

Fastorslow shocks Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame

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Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow caused a huge shock in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown.

Beaten by subsequent Grand National winner Corach Rambler in a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, he was sent off a 20-1 chance against Gold Cup one-two Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame.

It was Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame who attempted to make all and after seeing off first Envoi Allen and then Galopin Des Champs, Harry Cobden’s mount appeared to hold all the aces.

However, it was the JJ Slevin-rdden Fastorslow – who at one point who seemed outpaced – that came with a storming late run to take top honours, with the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs rallying to claim second from Bravemansgame right on the line.

Galopin Des Champs was the first of the big two to look beaten on the run to the final fence, and when Bravemansgame got in tight it allowed Fastorslow to close up.

Before Cheltenham connections had expressed doubts about Fastorslow’s ability to see out an extended three miles, but he stayed on stoutly to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Brassil said: “He was going to be carrying top weight in a lot of those handicaps so we just felt we might as well dip our toe in the water and see how much we find.

“There were only five runners and the first two in the betting had hard races in the Gold Cup. If there was a bit of a chink in the armour I thought we could hopefully exploit that. I didn’t think we’d win, but I thought we wouldn’t be far away.

J J Slevin celebrates with the Punchestown Gold Cup
J J Slevin celebrates with the Punchestown Gold Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)

“JJ is a cool customer, he took the shortest way around and the horse jumped well, everything fell into place.

“We were hoping the step up in trip would bring improvement, his pedigree suggests that he stays well. The first time trying it was in Cheltenham and I’d say that race might have brought him on.

“We were delving into new company, top-notch company, but you have to try these things – there is no point dreaming about them.

“There’ll be no point entering him in a handicap again now. He ran his heart out and just got chinned a couple of times so to come here at a local track and win a Grade One is great.

“We won’t have to do much planning now as we’ll be running in the good races.”

Bravemansgame (left) landed steep at the last and lost momentum
Bravemansgame (left) landed steep at the last and lost momentum (Brian Lawless/PA)

Slevin said: “It was a great performance from Martin and everyone getting him here in this shape. It was a bold call to run him here, but it paid off.

“It shows what you need to win a Cheltenham handicap, time and time again that proves to be the case. Corach Rambler is a hardy horse.

“We were riding him to run well, Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs were always going to sneak away.

“Martin always had a lot of faith in the horse, he’s some trainer isn’t he?”

Of Bravemansgame, Cobden said: “I had the most fantastic ride and he jumped great but I’m fuming I didn’t wing the last fence, I got in very deep and lost two lengths as well as momentum. After that the best horse has won, but if I’d have winged that fence it would have been a different story, I’m sure of it.

“It’s not the ground you lose jumping, it’s the momentum on landing as he pecked and the other horse came by me.

“I might have a different thought on watching back, but my initial thought is if I’d met it better I would have been a lot closer.”

Of the beaten favourite Mullins, speaking after landing a second-day treble when Junta Marvel won the closing bumper, said: “He’s grand, he was tired when he came in but he’s back to himself there now.

“It was a good race and you have to run your horses, that’s what they are there for. It’s good prize money and good racing.”

Gaelic Warrior takes three miles in his stride for emphatic success

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Gaelic Warrior landed the first Grade One of his career in the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown – and it looks unlikely to be his last.

Stepped up to three miles for the first time, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old proved in a different league to his rivals, strolling to a 10-length victory under Paul Townend as the 4-5 favourite.

Last second finishing second to stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore at Cheltenham, earlier in the season he had won one a highly-competitive handicap over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou had ensured the race was run at a true enough pace and approaching the second-last flight he was still in front with the Mouse Morris-trained Franciscan Rock and Noel Meade’s Affordale Fury ready to pounce.

Just in behind, though, was Townend who was sitting motionless and biding his time.

Gaelic Warrior hit the front on the run to the last and Townend only pushed him out with hands and heels to claim an easy victory.

His only two defeats since joining Mullins have come at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.

Betfair went 8-1 from 20s for next year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, while Paddy Power went 6-1 from 8s for the Turners Novices’ Chase.

“The trip was a big help to him. I was hoping the ground would be a help to him, but Paul thinks it wasn’t,” said Mullins.

“I think the trip was a lot of it and Paul was once again ice cool, sitting in behind a wall of horses waiting for the right gap to come and he produced him at the right time.

“He must come into staying hurdle territory now after that. He has the option of going chasing, but we’d have to have a good look at keeping him over hurdles. That looks to be his job there.

“We’ll get home and think about it but what I saw there, the way he improved going that extra trip, he looks to have the Stayers’ Hurdle written all over him.

“He does jump a bit right but those type of horses always settled the more racing they get, he’ll get the hang of it.”

Townend said: “When they rushed around me, they were committed at that stage so I was happy to see that happening.

“He settled like a dream and that was the key early on.

“Going that way is a huge help because you make him keen by trying to keep him straight.”

Constitution Hill and nine others that lit up the National Hunt season

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Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill ridden by Nico de Boinville (centre) on their way to winning the William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Constitution Hill ridden by Nico de Boinville (centre) on their way to winning the William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Tim Goode/PA)

The undoubted star of the 2022-23 season, National Hunt racing’s flagship performer did not disappoint with a flawless campaign culminating in victories at both Cheltenham and Aintree. His Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle triumphs ultimately served as a simple appetiser to the main course which came in the Champion Hurdle when he was crowned king in style. Nicky Henderson’s charge then moved on to Liverpool where his all-the-way success in the Aintree Hurdle put the cherry on top of the cake.

Galopin Des Champs

Paul Townend celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on Galopin Des Champs
Paul Townend celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on Galopin Des Champs (David Davies/PA)

Heading into the season with unbridled potential but nagging stamina doubts, Willie Mullins was adamant in his assertions the Gold Cup was his for the taking. Not for the first time, the master of Closutton was proved 100 per cent correct as having advertised his newly-found patience in the John Durkan and Irish Gold Cup, the seven-year-old bounded up the Cheltenham hill to register an ultra-impressive success in the blue riband.

Marine Nationale

Marine Nationale enjoyed an unbeaten first season over hurdles
Marine Nationale enjoyed an unbeaten first season over hurdles (Brian Lawless/PA)

Having provided Barry Connell and Michael O’Sullivan with the first Grade One success of their respective training and riding careers in the Royal Bond, the six-year-old got the Cheltenham Festival off with a bang when he hunted down Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hotpot Facile Vega to land a deadly blow and remain unbeaten. It remains to be seen whether he goes down the Champion Hurdle route or switches to fences.

Sire Du Berlais

Sire Du Berlais enjoyed the best season of his career at the age of 11
Sire Du Berlais enjoyed the best season of his career at the age of 11 (Nigel French/PA)

Gordon Elliott’s 11-year-old made a mockery of his advancing years to win both the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and defend his Liverpool Hurdle crown during the spring. It was his third victory at the Cheltenham Festival, while his performance at Aintree proved the Cullentra House veteran is as good as he has ever been.

Bravemansgame

Connections of Bravemansgame celebrate his King George VI Chase win
Connections of Bravemansgame celebrate his King George VI Chase win (John Walton/PA)

The King George had been Bravemansgame’s ultimate target since his days as a novice hurdler and that long-term objective was complete on Boxing Day as Paul Nicholls’ chaser provided the Ditcheat handler with victory number 13 in Kempton’s Christmas feature. A brave second in the Gold Cup was to follow as he confirmed himself as the number one staying chaser in Britain.

The Real Whacker

Sam Twiston-Davies celebrates winning the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase aboard The Real Whacker
Sam Twiston-Davies celebrates winning the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase aboard The Real Whacker (Mike Egerton/PA)

Trained by Irishman Patrick Neville in North Yorkshire, this seven-year-old made Prestbury Park his playground in 2022-23 and provided one of the feelgood stories of the season when proving best of the staying novices in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Corach Rambler

Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox on their way to winning the Randox Grand National
Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox on their way to winning the Randox Grand National (Mike Egerton/PA)

Having joined the select group of horses to win the Ultima Chase two years on the trot at the Cheltenham Festival, Lucinda Russell’s nine-year-old headed to Merseyside with the hopes of Scotland on his enigmatic shoulders. He duly waltzed around Aintree to provide the Arlary House handler with a second win in the Grand National.

El Fabiolo

Daryl Jacob won the Irish Arkle on El Fabiolo
Daryl Jacob won the Irish Arkle on El Fabiolo (Donall Farmer/PA)

Willie Mullins entered the season with no shortage of top-class novice chasers at his dispersal but El Fabiolo ranked clear number one by the end of the campaign. He backed up an impressive victory in the Irish Arkle by downing Jonbon at the Cheltenham Festival equivalent and is sure to be a Champion Chase contender next term.

A Dream To Share

Jockey John Gleeson celebrates winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Jockey John Gleeson celebrates winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (David Davies/PA)

Following a taking success at the Dublin Racing Festival, he went on to provide 85-year-old John Kiely with a first Cheltenham Festival victory when landing the Champion Bumper. Ridden in both races by 18-year-old John Gleeson, there were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure at Prestbury Park as Kiely was joined by the jockey’s parents, Brian and Clare, who had bred and previously owned the five-year-old.

Energumene

Energumene was an easy winner of the Champion Chase
Energumene was an easy winner of the Champion Chase (Mike Egerton/PA)

The defending champion headed to the Queen Mother Champion Chase with questions to answer following a below-par performance on trials day, but answered his critics in style with a devastating display to become a two-time winner of the day two feature. He finished off with a second successive victory in Punchestown’s William Hill Champion Chase but was made to work hard by stablemate Chacun Pour Soi, probably showing the signs that his Cheltenham exertions took a fair bit out of him.

Richard Hoiles picks out his favourite memories of the season

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Constitution Hill was undoubtedly the shining star of the 2022-23 National Hunt season but his Cheltenham Festival coronation came close to ending in disaster.

Sent off the shortest-priced favourite in Champion Hurdle history, everything seemed to be going according to the script for Nicky Henderson’s charge and big-race pilot Nico de Boinville as they burst clear on the run to the final flight

But in scenes reminiscent of Annie Power at Festivals past, the duo took off from outside the wings leaving De Boinville simply closing his eyes and praying his mount made it to the other side.

This time the final flight failed to claim another victim as Constitution Hill stormed up the run-in for a nine-length success – and that split-second moment where triumph and disaster came together as one is the ever-lasting image of the campaign for ITV Racing’s lead commentator Richard Hoiles, someone in the perfect spot to witness the fine margins on display.

“Constitution Hill jumping the final flight in the Champion Hurdle has to be the image that defines the season,” said Hoiles.

“He was probably only an inch or two from that being the wrong sort of image, but he’s definitely been the horse of the season and quite possibly of the last few seasons.

“When you saw some of the side-on shots and realised he was outside of the wings, to think he can do that at the end of a Champion Hurdle and then storm up off the hill is something quite special.”

Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Champion Hurdle
Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Champion Hurdle (Tim Goode/PA)

If Constitution Hill opened the show in style then Galopin Des Champs’ Gold Cup triumph was an equally fitting way to bring the curtain down on the Festival, atoning for his final-fence mishap in the Turners Novices’ Chase 12 months previously to seal blue riband glory in imperious fashion.

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old will have to now defy the statistics if he is to successfully return to Prestbury Park – something Hoiles believes could prove a tough task.

He continued: “We would all agree we had a good Gold Cup winner and a good Champion Hurdle winner, albeit a Champion Hurdle winner on a different level.

“If Constitution Hill remained over hurdles I would be pretty happy saying he could win three or four Champion Hurdles, but I would be reticent to say Galopin Des Champs could even win one more Gold Cup given the history of the race down the years.

Galopin Des Champs (left) jumps the last upsides Bravemansgame
Galopin Des Champs (left) jumps the last upsides Bravemansgame (Steven Paston/PA)

“I think you have to be a little bit careful about their ability to back up in that very harsh staying division where it takes a lot more out of them than say a Champion Hurdle.

“I know Al Boum Photo retained the Gold Cup, but I would historically point to that race being quite difficult and A Plus Tard would be a classic example of a horse you would never have believed would have the season he has just had.

“Galopin Des Champs was a good Gold Cup winner and it was pleasing he righted the wrong of last year. It was a good ride as well from Paul Townend. He didn’t panic and he was well on top from the home turn from a spot where he probably wasn’t intending to be.”

Fresh from gaining compensation for his Cheltenham Festival reversal by scooping Grade One honours at Aintree, Hoiles identified Gerri Colombe as the one who could capitalise on any chinks in Galopin Des Champs’ armour when stepping out of novice company next season.

When asked which novices had caught his eye, he said: “Gerri Colombe could be one for the Gold Cup.

“If I think that’s one trophy that could be vacated, then he is one who is still relatively young and unexposed. I know he got beaten at Cheltenham but you felt there was still a bit of learning going on then and I think another day on a different track you may have seen a different result.”

The 2022-23 season was also the year Honeysuckle finally said goodbye to her adoring public and little over 40 minutes after Constitution Hill had dazzled the Prestbury Park patrons, Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare took the roof off the grandstands with an emotional victory in her swansong.

The came after a tough year for De Bromhead, who has stood steadfast in the face of adversity following the heartbreaking loss of his 13-year-old son Jack in a pony racing accident last summer, and there was not a dry eye in the house as the retiring nine-year-old and her ever-loyal ally Rachael Blackmore returned to a rapturous reception.

“I don’t often have time to run out the back and see things but I asked if I could on this occasion,” added Hoiles.

“Off the back of Constitution Hill’s brilliance you then had just the raw emotion.

“That family have had an awful lot to deal with and it was just good to see them be able to celebrate.

“They had always conducted themselves brilliantly but you just got the impression that there was a 10-minute window there, where for everything that goes wrong everywhere, if you could bottle that reception and release it whenever you needed a fillip, that’s what you would do – stick on the video and just watch the reception.

“We were all aware it was something where you don’t want to be there holding your phone, you wanted to be stood there letting it all seep into you and just appreciate what you were watching was something special.”

Tolworth moves to Aintree as part of major changes in jumps programme

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The British Horseracing Authority has announced a number of changes to the Jumps Pattern programme in an effort to strengthen the upper tiers of British National Hunt racing.

Several graded races have been removed from the calendar altogether while others have changed date or in some cases, venue.

The changes have been made in an attempt to space out Graded and Pattern contests more appropriately and to increase competitiveness.

Headline changes in the hurdling division are the relocation of the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle from Sandown to Aintree’s new meeting on Boxing Day while the Grade Two International at Cheltenham will now take place on Trials day in January rather than in December.

Major alterations to the chasing programme include the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton becoming a Grade Two limited handicap while the Future Stars at Sandown and the Many Clouds at Aintree have been removed from the programme altogether.

Noble Yeats won the Many Clouds Chase this season
Noble Yeats won the Many Clouds Chase this season (Nigel French/PA)

Other races to be lost include the Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot, the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick, Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial and the Dipper at Cheltenham.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who sits on the Jump Pattern Committee which advises and suggests recommendations to the BHA board, won this season’s Tolworth with Tahmuras.

He said: “The changes to the timings and venues of certain races are all sensible and will help trainers better campaign their good horses. Increased competition and more prize-money at the top end can only be a good thing for the sport.”

There is also an ambition to introduce a new Grade One two-mile hurdle at the end of the season to provide another opportunity for those in that division after the Champion Hurdle.

Grey Dawning was the last winner of the Leamington Spa Novices' Hurdle at Warwick
Grey Dawning was the last winner of the Leamington Spa Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)

BHA director of international racing and racing Development, Ruth Quinn, said: “The Jump Pattern programme in Britain has undergone an in-depth review, focusing on how we best support and improve the performance of jump racing at the top end of the pyramid, both in the short and longer-term.

“The Jump Pattern Committee has worked closely with racecourses, especially the Jockey Club – which stages most of our Jump Pattern races – to identify ways to see our best horses more regularly running against each other, but also strengthen our important developmental races, which help propel our horses towards the height of their ability.

“Working to these guiding principles, we have developed a package of changes, with races repositioned within a slimmed-down 2023/24 programme. The aim is to ensure our top contests are spaced more appropriately and consistently throughout the season – and hopefully deliver more competitive, meaningful and engaging racing as a consequence.

“Increased funding, investment and prize-money remains an important aim in terms of how we continually strengthen our higher profile contests, but these structural changes to the programme are a significant step in ensuring that our horses can maximise their prospects of succeeding at the highest level, as well producing a race programme that is consistently more engaging to bettors, fans and the media.”

El Fabiolo looking to round off superb campaign in style

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El Fabiolo bids to put the seal on a flawless campaign in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown on Thursday.

Willie Mullins has dominated this two-mile contest over the course of the past decade, saddling eight of the last 10 winners including each of the last seven.

Un De Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Chacun Pour Soi (2019) and Energumene (2021) all landed this prize on their way to even greater things and El Fabiolo is a warm order to add his name to the roll of honour on day three of the County Kildare festival.

The six-year-old, who carries the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede colours of 2018 victor Footpad and last year’s hero Blue Lord, is three from three over fences this season and is out to complete a Grade One hat-trick after winning the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and the Arkle at Cheltenham.

“El Fabiolo looks like he could be the real deal and could be the one contending for championship honours next year,” said Mullins.

“We just hope we can keep him right, keep him sound. The type of performance he put in was fantastic. He’s a real nice prospect to have in the yard for next season.”

El Fabiolo is set to face just three rivals, including a couple of fellow Closutton inmates in Dysart Dynamo and Saint Roi.

Dysart Dynamo looked booked for minor honours when falling at the final fence in the Arkle at Cheltenham, a race in which Saint Roi finished third before going on to fill the runner-up spot in in another Grade One at Aintree a fortnight ago.

Dysart Dynamo in action at Cheltenham
Dysart Dynamo in action at Cheltenham (David Davies/Jockey Club)

Mullins added: “Dysart Dynamo can be his own worst enemy, but a lot of people like that in a horse too – that he’s so exuberant and loves his game.

“I’m hoping he gets older or gets a bit wiser he learns how to settle and temper his enthusiasm, but of course half his ability might be his enthusiasm, especially for two-mile chases.

“He’s always a horse to be afraid of and one day he’ll put it all together and maybe put in a huge performance.

“Saint Roi seems to have come back fine from Aintree and we might roll the dice and let him take his chance. It’s a big prize and he won’t be doing anything else after this.”

The field is completed by Mouse Morris-trained outsider Indiana Jones.

Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo give Elliott strong Stayers hand

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Sire Du Berlais will go in search of a unique hat-trick at Punchestown when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle on Thursday.

Gordon Elliott’s stable stalwart has already rolled back the years to strike in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and then defend his Liverpool Hurdle crown. He will now bid for a third Grade One in the space of six weeks when he strides out at the Kildare track.

To do so he will have to go three places better than last year’s fourth, but the 11-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers despite his advancing years and his trainer states he has bounced out of his trip to Aintree in rude health.

“Sire Du Berlais is a marvellous horse,” said the Cullentra House handler. “For him to be doing what he’s doing at the age of 11 is incredible. He’s an unbelievable campaigner. He came out of Aintree in good shape.”

Elliott is also represented by Teahupoo, who was third behind his stablemate at Prestbury Park and has enjoyed a fine campaign, winning both the Hatton’s Grace and Galmoy Hurdle.

“Teahupoo is coming here off Cheltenham where he ran really well,” he added.

“He’s established himself now, I think, as one of the best stayers around and you’d like to think, all things being equal, he’d be lining up with a leading chance.”

Teahupoo has enjoyed a fine season winning twice and placing at the Cheltenham Festival
Teahupoo has enjoyed a fine season winning twice and placing at the Cheltenham Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

Willie Mullins fires four darts at a race he has won five times in the last 10 years.

The master of Closutton has saddled Klassical Dream to win this the past two years and has identified the defending champion as his best chance of enhancing his fine race record.

“Klassical Dream is the one that can go back to Punchestown and win it,” said Mullins.

“We didn’t know whether we were going to make it or not to Cheltenham, but we thought his work was good enough. We took our chance. I think you’ll see the real Klassical Dream in Punchestown.”

Mullins is also represented by Asterion Forlonge and two-time Cheltenham Festival hero Monkfish – who fought out the finish of the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month – with Whatdeawant completing the quartet.

“It’s great to see Asterion Forlonge and Monkfish coming back,” continued Mullins.

“Those horses had long breaks and have little turnaround from Fairyhouse to Punchestown and that’s a big negative for me. If they ran a good race, I’d be very happy. Whatdeawant is probably just not good enough.”

Last year’s runner-up Ashdale Bob will attempt to go one better for Keith Donoghue and Jessica Harrington, with Oliver McKiernan’s Meet And Great and Henry de Bromhead’s Thurles scorer Summerville Boy completing the field.

Mawj in good form ahead of 1000 Guineas challenge

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Mawj will take her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday week after showing Saeed bin Suroor all the right signs since returning from Dubai.

The Exceed And Excel filly, who won the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge on Newmarket’s July course in mid-summer, was last seen in Britain finishing a close-up third to Lezoo in the Cheveley Park on the Rowley Mile course in September.

While she tackled six furlongs exclusively in her two-year-old career on these shores, she was upped in trip with success when shipped to Dubai over the winter.

Mawj duly won the seven-furlong Jumeirah Fillies Classic and then scooted to an eight-and-a-half-length success in the Jumeirah Fillies Guineas on her first try over a mile.

Though not the biggest, she has proven herself to be all heart in winning four of her seven career starts, and she is as short as 12-1 for the mile fillies’ Classic.

Bin Suroor said: “She is good, has been working well and in good form. She will run in the Guineas.

“She is a nice filly and a proven filly. She has shown plenty of speed, but she stayed a mile well in Dubai and now we will give her a chance in the Guineas.

“It is a very tough race, but we have to give her a chance and see how she goes, as she has earned that chance.

“She has grown a little, but not much. That is why we gave her a break between races. Two-year-olds, when you give them a break, they generally grow and strengthen.”

Derby set for earlier start this year to avoid FA Cup final clash

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The Betfred Derby will be run at 1.30pm at Epsom on June 3, the Jockey Club has confirmed.

The premier Classic was originally due to be run at 4.30pm, but has been brought forward to avoid a clash with the FA Cup final, which itself is set to be brought forward following safety concerns.

Manchester City and Manchester United will meet in Wembley’s showpiece fixture for the first time, and that will reportedly kick-off at 3pm on the advice of police.

The Derby has been run at 4.30pm on all but one occasion since 2015, while the last three FA Cup finals have kicked off between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

The Jockey Club said the first race would take place at 12.50pm with the Derby the second race on the card.

James Crespi, general manager of Epsom, said: “This year, the first Saturday in June will play host to two Derbys and two of Britain’s great sporting events.

“In order to give fans of both horse racing and football the opportunity to enjoy the Betfred Derby and the FA Cup final and to maximise the publicity and exposure of these two iconic sporting occasions, which will both be broadcast live on ITV1, we have made some changes to our usual schedule.

“We are grateful to our partners at ITV and our generous sponsors Betfred for their help in facilitating the move, and we can’t wait for what is sure to be a great afternoon for British sport.”