Tag Archive for: Gaillard Du Mesnil

All-conquering Mullins mounts five-strong assault on National

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There are few heights Willie Mullins has not scaled in his training career and with five runners in Saturday’s Randox Grand National, he holds a strong hand.

While the Closutton handler is miles clear of the pack when it comes to training Cheltenham Festival winners, the world-famous Aintree showpiece has not always been kind to the Closutton handler.

It is 18 years since Hedgehunter gave the yard its sole National success and should Mullins win it this term, he might not even be there to celebrate, as the 66-year-old is recuperating at home after a recent hip operation.

Regardless, there is also likely to be plenty of support for his fab five in the field of 40.

Mullins saddles Mr Incredible (Brian Hayes), Gaillard Du Mesnil (Paul Townend), Capodanno (Danny Mullins), Carefully Selected (Michael O’Sullivan) and Recite A Prayer (Jack Foley).

Gaillard Du Mesnil is the stable’s first string on the betting, but stable jockey Townend faced a tough choice.

Paul Townend (left) and Willie Mullins seek more big-race glory
Paul Townend (left) and Willie Mullins seek more big-race glory (David Davies/PA)

Mullins said: “Paul thought about riding Capadanno and Carefully Selected, but I suppose, taking recent form into account, it’s not a surprise which way he’s gone.”

Townend earned his and Mullins’ third Cheltenham Gold Cup success when Galopin Des Champs took the laurels last month, then scored another huge victory for the yard when landing the Irish Grand National with I Am Maximus at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Mullins added: “I think the ride he gave I Am Maximus surpassed his Gold Cup one.

“He was Paul the jockey at Cheltenham and Paul the horseman at Fairyhouse.

“He rode him as a jockey on the first circuit and then threw the book out of the window on the second circuit because that wasn’t working.”

The gap between the big Cheltenham and Aintree festival meetings is a week longer than normal this year due to Easter, but Mullins admits he would prefer another another week still for Gaillard Du Mesnil.

“We can’t do anything about the gap between the races, that’s the way it is,” he added. “I’d like to wait another week but I’m happy the horse is in good form.

“It didn’t do the Irish National winner any harm. A lot of the team have run since Cheltenham and they’ve run well.”

However, should any of his quintet win, his operation means any Aintree celebrations may have to go on without him.

“I’ll try to get there, but it’s doubtful,” he added.

Gaillard Du Mesnil breaks chasing duck with Grade One glory

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Gaillard Du Mesnil finally enjoyed his day in the sun over fences with a facile victory in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Although winless in six previous outings over the larger obstacles, the dual Grade One-winning hurdler had never finished out of the first three and has been placed three times at the highest level.

With his Drinmore conqueror Mighty Potter a non-runner, Gaillard Du Mesnil was the 5-6 favourite to open his chasing account and ultimately did so in fine style in a race marred by fatal injuries suffered by both Unexpected Depth and Three Stripe Life.

Amirite also unseated Rachael Blackmore, but Gaillard Du Mesnil managed to keep himself out of trouble under a patient ride before pulling seven and a half lengths clear of Churchstonewarrior to provide Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with yet another Grade One success this week.

“He had the experience and he had the rating. He was still a maiden, but we had kept him to good class company all the time and he got his experience against that type of company,” said Mullins.

“Paul said he just flew fences down the back for him. They went very fast and he was even taken off it a bit early on.

Gaillard Du Mesnil after winning at Leopardstown
Gaillard Du Mesnil after winning at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)

“He just glided into the race down the outside, kept out of trouble and kept away from the loose horse (Amirite) the best he could. He just kept jumping and landed in front.

“He deserved a crack at two and a half (miles) last time, though it was a little bit short for him. He probably learned a lot going that pace.

“All that experience counts for a day like today.”

Paddy Power make Gaillard Du Mesnil their 6-4 favourite from 9-4 for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while he is 6-1 from 10-1 with the same firm for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Gaillard Du Mesnil aiming to open his chase account in style

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With former rival Mighty Potter declared a non-runner, Gaillard Du Mesnil appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to belatedly open his account over fences in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Although winless after six starts over the larger obstacles, the Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil has been placed on each occasion, with three of those efforts coming at Grade One level.

The grey, who won twice in Grade One company over hurdles, was third behind esteemed stablemate Galopin Des Champs at last season’s Dublin Racing Festival before occupying the same finishing position behind L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham and when favourite for the Irish Grand National.

The six-year-old again had to make do with minor honours when filling the runner-up spot behind Mighty Potter on his reappearance in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse last month – but with plans for the rematch shelved by connections of the latter, Gaillard Du Mesnil is a hot favourite to enjoy a deserved day in the sun.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “He has lots of experience which is always a help and he ran a cracker in the Drinmore.

“The Drinmore turned into a bit of a sprint which didn’t really suit him as he stays very well, so we’re expecting a very good run.”

Mighty Potter had the option of testing the water over three miles for the first time, but he will instead stick a shorter distance for the foreseeable future.

Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Caldwell Construction Ltd, said: “He’s a non-runner – he was declared by mistake.

Mighty Potter will not run at Leopardstown on Thursday
Mighty Potter will not run at Leopardstown on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA)

“We’ll wait for the Dublin Racing Festival with him. He’ll run over two and a half miles there and two and a half at Cheltenham.

“He’s only a five-year-old and there is no point in him going three miles when he doesn’t need to.”

Despite Mighty Potter’s absence, trainer Gordon Elliott is still doubly represented with Three Stripe Life, who was pulled up in the Drinmore after the now-retired Davy Russell’s saddle slipped, joined by Front Assault.

Churchstonewarrior (Jonathan Sweeney), Amirite (Henry de Bromhead), Unexpected Depth (Oliver McKiernan) and Barnacullia (Michael Mulvany) complete the field.