Tag Archive for: Noble Yeats

Randox Grand National 2023 – Pinstickers’ Guide

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Saturday sees the 175th running of the Grand National at Aintree.

Corach Rambler currently heads the betting but here, the PA news agency runs through the entire field.

1. ANY SECOND NOW (Ted Walsh) Rating (out of 10) 7
Third in 2021 and runner-up last year, he bids to go one better for a trainer who has a good record in the race. This classy performer must buck history, for not since 1899 has an 11-year-old managed to win race carrying as much weight.

Any Second Now (right) has a good Aintree record
Any Second Now has a good Aintree record (Brian Lawless/PA)

2. NOBLE YEATS (Emmet Mullins) 9
A shock 50-1 winner last year, his Gold Cup fourth was a good effort and while he carries over a stone more than last year, age and experience are on his side.

3. GALVIN (Gordon Elliott) 9
Talented but inconsistent recently, stamina is seemingly not a problem for this Grade One winner who landed Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase two years ago and finished fourth in the Gold Cup last year. Always regarded as National prospect.

4. FURY ROAD (Gordon Elliott) 6
A solid jumper who represents the same connections as dual winner Tiger Roll. A Grade One-winning novice chaser, he did seem to run out of steam when third in the Irish Gold Cup and was well held in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

5. THE BIG DOG (Peter Fahey) 7
Bounced back this season to take the Munster National and the Troytown at Navan, and was placed in the Welsh National. Led to three out in the Irish Gold Cup but uncharacteristically fell at the penultimate fence. Each-way claims.

6. CAPODANNO (Willie Mullins) 5
Owned by JP McManus, he bids to become only the second seven-year-old to win the National since Bogskar in 1940 after Noble Yeats last year. A Grade One winner but lacks experience and stamina is unproven.

7. DELTA WORK (Gordon Elliott) 7
Having denied stablemate Tiger Roll a fairytale farewell at Cheltenham last year, he followed up again in the same race last month beating Galvin. A distant third in this last year, he is slightly better off at the weights this time.

8. SAM BROWN (Anthony Honeyball) 6
Beaten just four lengths by Bravemansgame at Wetherby, he had not looked his best in two subsequent chase starts on unsuitable ground. Promising signs over hurdles at Uttoxeter and has won over regulation fences at Aintree before.

9. LIFETIME AMBITION (Jessica Harrington) 8
Only once out of the first four in 22 starts for his astute trainer. Likes to be up with the pace and has shown best form on soft ground. Fourth in the Grand Sefton on his first try over these fences. Could have a say if he sees out the trip.

10. CAREFULLY SELECTED (Willie Mullins) 7
Lightly-raced 11-year-old who justified favouritism in the Thyestes at Gowran on only his second run back after 30 months off. Has a touch of class and should go well if his jumping holds up.

11. COKO BEACH (Gordon Elliott) 8
Up with the pace before tiring from two out to finish eighth last year. Stronger this year, he jumped well when cosily taking the Punchestown Grand National Trial and his trainer’s runners must always be respected. Live outsider.

12. LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Bassil) 10
A fair sixth in 2022 despite racing with the choke out for much of the contest. Has had his mark protected with three hurdle runs this term by a trainer who won in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde. Prefers ease in the ground and if settling, holds strong claims.

13. GAILLARD DU MESNIL (Willie Mullins) 7
Opened his account over fences in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas and stayed on from well off the pace to get up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Improver, though this may come a year too soon.

14. DARASSO (Joseph O’Brien) 3
Chased home Hewick in the Galway Plate but has never won beyond two and three-quarter miles. Not one for the shortlist.

Gordon Elliott has six runners
Gordon Elliott has six runners (David Davies/PA)

15. LE MILOS (Dan Skelton) 8
Has come into his own this season, winning a decent renewal of what used to be the Hennessy Gold Cup. Jumps, stays and has a decent weight, so ticks plenty of boxes for a trainer who knows the time of day. Leading chance.

16. ESCARIA TEN (Gordon Elliott) 4
Beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last season but stamina limitations were exposed, not for the first time, when weakening late to finish ninth in the National last year.

17. THE BIG BREAKAWAY (Joe Tizzard) 7
Produced some decent form this season, including a another narrow defeat in the Welsh Grand National. Jumps, stays and has a decent weight. Potential to run a big race, provided his Cheltenham run did not take too much out of him.

18. CAPE GENTLEMAN (John Joseph Hanlon) 3
A fair novice chaser who has shown little in recent runs to inspire much confidence, but represents a very capable trainer.

19. ROI MAGE (Patrick Griffin) 7
Ex-French Grade Three winner who really upped his game on anything he had previously shown for his current yard in conceding 5lb when a gallant runner-up to Longhouse Poet at Down Royal. Could be a player at decent odds.

20. DIOL KER (Noel Meade) 6
One win in 13 over fences came in the Leinster National. Blinkers helped when short-headed in a valuable Leopardstown handicap but disappointed since. Capable of better for his savvy trainer, however stamina doubts remain.

21. A WAVE OF THE SEA (Joseph O’Brien) 4
Represents powerful connections and young enough to think there is improvement to come. Three chase wins have all come over two and a half miles or shorter, though, and was pulled up in the Grand Annual last time out.

22. MINELLA TRUMP (Donald McCain) 5
Rattled up a six-timer as a novice in 2021 and won Perth Gold Cup in June. Last over seven over hurdles on recent comeback.

23. VANILLIER (Gavin Cromwell) 6
Clearly has class, but not proven so good over fences, with a sole success coming in a weak four-runner Grade Two. Runner-up finish to Kemboy in the Bobbyjo showed improvement, but trip is a concern.

24. VELVET ELVIS (Thomas Gibney) 3
Two wins from 10 over fences have both come at three miles. Close-up sixth in the Irish Grand National last April and second to Any Second Now when last seen. Another for whom this looks too soon.

25. AIN’T THAT A SHAME (Henry De Bromhead) 6
Was close up in the Munster National and Paddy Power Chase before getting off the mark over fences at the seventh time of asking. Inexperience is the drawback for this lightly-raced improver from a top yard.

26. CORACH RAMBLER (Lucinda Russell) 8
Dual winner at Cheltenham, he bids to give the Scottish yard its second win in the race after One For Arthur in 2017. Had a hard race when winning at Cheltenham again, but always been regarded as a horse tailor-made for this race.

Corach Rambler leads the betting
Corach Rambler leads the betting (Andrew Milligan/PA)

27. ENJOY D’ALLEN (Ciaran Murphy) 3
Third in the Irish National two years ago is as good as it has got. Unseated at the first last year and has shown little subsequently, yet cannot be discounted given his connections.

28. MR INCREDIBLE (Willie Mullins) 7
Relished the step up to three miles and five furlongs when chasing home Iwilldoit in heavy ground at Warwick. A fine third in the Kim Muir, he could win but equally could plant his feet at the start.

29. MISTER COFFEY (Nicky Henderson) 5
Did not appear to take to the fences in the Topham, but ran a cracker to be third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. His master trainer may have to wait a while longer to win the one big race missing from his CV.

30. CLOUDY GLEN (Venetia Williams) 6
Former Coral (Hennessy) Gold Cup winner who finished third to stablemate Quick Wave on his first run following over a year off at Haydock in February. Pulled up subsequently in the Ultima. Stays well and soft ground would aid his chance.

31. HILL SIXTEEN (Sandy Thomson) 6
Last season’s Becher Chase runner-up was seventh in this year’s renewal of that race. More needed, though an assured jumper and no forlorn hope at big odds.

32. GABBYS CROSS (Henry De Bromhead) 6
Quick enough to win over two and a half miles as a novice, he had plenty of support when eighth in the Thyestes at Gowran Park. Followed that with a fine third in the Leinster National. Handles soft ground and should stay.

33. RECITE A PRAYER (Willie Mullins) 4
Cork National third needs to improve on his last two runs. Will likely stay, but in his own time.

34. EVA’S OSKAR (Tim Vaughan) 5
Was in good form earlier this season and put up a career-best in winning at Cheltenham in December. A distant Eider fourth was a fine effort under top-weight at Newcastle, but the grey needs to find a little more.

35. OUR POWER (Sam Thomas) 7
A tidy, accurate jumper who is well handicapped on the back of wins at Ascot and Kempton. Trainer does well with staying chasers and every chance of going well.

Noble Yeats won in 2022
Noble Yeats won in 2022 (Steven Paston/PA)

36. DUNBOYNE (Gordon Elliott) 6
In good form this year. Came close to landing the Thyestes Chase before a decent effort when fourth in the Kim Muir. Will need to bely his relative inexperience to be a factor.

37. FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (Peter Bowen) 2
Easily held in the Becher and while he took well to Cheltenham’s cross-country course on his penultimate start, he refused after running well for a long way the second time. Plenty to find.

38. FORTESCUE (Henry Daly) 3
Becher fourth is the only worthwhile form shown this term and was going backwards when unseating four out last year.

39. BACK ON THE LASH (Martin Keighley) 4
Part-owned by Harry Redknapp, if transferring his liking for Cheltenham’s cross-country course to these iconic fences, he is not without hope. Should stay, yet perhaps lacks a touch of class.

40. BORN BY THE SEA (Paul John Gilligan) 1
Massive stamina doubts having spent the large majority of his career racing over shorter and even that form leaves him with plenty to find.

VERDICT:

Another wide-open renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase in which Irish trainers have provided four of the last five winners.

Strength in numbers means it is worth siding with the Irish raiders again. While Gordon Elliott, who scored with Tiger Roll in 2020 and 2021, is well positioned with several live chances, Martin Brassil also knows what it takes to win this and in LONGHOUSE POET he has a horse with many of the right credentials. A little too keen last year, he has been primed for this all season and if keeping clear of trouble near the head of affairs again, he is expected to run a huge race.

All distances seem to come alike to Noble Yeats, who has done little wrong since scoring last year. History is against him, but he is one for the shortlist again, especially as there has been sufficient recovery time from his Gold Cup exploits.

Picking the best of Elliott’s bunch is no easy task, although Galvin has a touch of class and could run into a place. Lifetime Ambition is wholly consistent and, if taking to the course, might take some valuable prize-money for Jessica Harrington.

Corach Rambler, Le Milos, Roi Mage and Vanillier and are all of interest, but could just miss out on the placings.

1. LONGHOUSE POET. 2. Noble Yeats. 3. Galvin. 4. Lifetime Ambition.

Emmet Mullins still struggling to grasp National achievement

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Trainer Emmet Mullins is still coming to terms with last year’s Randox Grand National success as he prepares Noble Yeats in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Aintree spectacular.

Mullins is of course from a family steeped in racing history, from his late grandfather Paddy to his training trio of uncles Tom, Tony and, most notably, the legendary Willie Mullins.

Emmet, who took out his training licence in 2015, trains just a stone’s throw from the latter’s huge operation at Closutton and spent a number of years riding for him before retiring from the saddle.

He enjoyed his fair share of success as a jockey, including a Cheltenham Festival victory aboard Sir Des Champs. But he is modest in assessing his riding ability.

Noble Yeats at Emmet Mullins' yard
Noble Yeats at Emmet Mullins’ yard (The Jockey Club)

“I don’t know if the scales would let me be a jockey, that was one part of the battle, but I wasn’t good enough,” he said.

“I suppose at the time there were 90 less horses in Willie’s, Ruby Walsh was number one, Paul Townend was number two and David Casey was probably still riding at the time.

“I was too far down the list and wasn’t doing as well as I’d have liked. I decided to retire and change and do something that I could potentially do better.

“I’d say there’s no doubt every one of the Mullins’ is different and an individual. There’s definitely something I’ve taken from every one of them and you put in your own bit and make it work.”

It did not take Mullins long to make an impact on the training scene, with St Stephens Green and Zero Ten a couple of his early flag-bearers.

Robert Waley-Cohen with the Grand National trophy
Robert Waley-Cohen with the Grand National trophy (Brian Lawless/PA)

The 2020/21 season brought notable success at Cheltenham with The Shunter, but those winners pale into significance following his life-changing success on Merseyside last April.

Noble Yeats was still a novice when he lined up for the Grand National.

But he had shown bits and pieces of form to give him a chance, including a runner-up finish to star novice Ahoy Senor in the Grade Two Towton at Wetherby – a performance that prompted prominent owner Robert Waley-Cohen to approach Mullins about the possibility of buying the then seven-year-old from the handler’s long-time friend Paul Byrne.

“They (Waley-Cohens) had seen him run in Wetherby when he was second to Ahoy Senor. I think by chance they were there as they had a runner that day,” said Mullins.

“Anthony Bromley (bloodstock agent) put it to them that they were looking for a Grand National horse, Noble Yeats ticked a lot of the boxes and it was great that they put that trust and faith in me.”

Noble Yeats’ first run for Waley-Cohen and his amateur rider son Sam came at the following month’s Cheltenham Festival, where he finished ninth in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Having been beaten 20 lengths in the Cotswolds, he lined up as a 50-1 shot at Aintree, but Mullins insists he never lost faith.

He said: “When the weights came out, he was one of the fancied horses at the prices. Then he had the run in Cheltenham, it was Sam’s first ride on him and it probably didn’t go to plan, but it might have been the making of the horse, running in a big handicap chase at Cheltenham.

“I suppose his price drifted off the back of that, which made him go under the radar a bit more, but we never lost hope or confidence.

“It was a long prep – we had it planned from a long way out and everything went to plan.

“I remember saying to Sam the night before the race ‘if I had the last two weeks back, there’s nothing I would change’.”

Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen winning the Grand National
Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen winning the Grand National (David Davies/PA)

Come the big day Noble Yeats certainly stepped up the plate, making his move on the second circuit and finding plenty from the final fence to see off 15-2 favourite Any Second Now by just over two lengths.

Much of the post-race focus was on the winning rider, who having become the first amateur to win the National since Marcus Armytage aboard Mr Frisk in 1990, immediately called time on his career.

Mullins was quite happy to be slightly out of the spotlight, but nevertheless recalls the events of the day with great fondness.

“It’s many months later now and honestly it still hasn’t really sunk in,” he continued.

“I watched the race in the stand to the right of the tunnel when you come out of the parade ring. I was completely on my own and that was Plan A for me!

“I’m fairly sure looking back on it now I was watching the wrong horse for the first half of the race down to the Canal Turn, but by the time he jumped the water and passed in front of me heading out on to the second circuit, I thought he was in position A, a position from where National winners gone by have come from.

“I’m not sure about the horse, but that was the first blow I took! I had to take a breath and gather myself together and from then it was just plain sailing.

“He jumped brilliant and Sam was brilliant on him. He had the confidence to sit and wait until crossing the Melling Road and the rest is history.

“I had to exit stage left and gather myself for a second. I had no idea it was going to be Sam’s last ride, that was a bit more trust they put in, but thank God the horse put it all together.”

All those involved returned to Ireland to further celebrate the success, with Noble Yeats enjoying a homecoming parade in Mullins’ local village of Leighlinbridge.

Noble Yeats with connections outside the Lord Bagenal
Noble Yeats with connections outside the Lord Bagenal (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mullins said: “It was a bit surreal when I came home. I hadn’t really told anyone about the homecoming for the horse, but word seemed to have got round and I couldn’t believe the turn out in Leighlinbridge beside the Lord Bagenal (Inn).

“Noble Yeats is not the prettiest horse in the world. George (Mullins, Emmet’s father) saw him recently coming up the yard and said ‘what’s that broodmare doing riding out here?’. The rider just replied ‘if he wins me another National that’ll do me!’.”

The Grand National brought Mullins new-found fame and unsurprisingly further prospective owners.

But while Willie trains a formidable army of around 200 horses just next door, for now Emmet is happy with his lot.

“I’m very happy with the set up I have. It’s manageable and I have a good team of staff. There’s staff shortages across racing and we have a good team together and are doing a good job I think,” he added.

“There was one barn, now there’s two and we’re up to 29 stables. In my head it’s one step at a time.

“After winning the Grand National everyone would have said we’d bang up stables left, right and centre, but I deliberately didn’t. I put my foot down and said we’d be a little bit more calculated.”

For Mullins there is certainly no basking in the glory of what he has achieved, although his stable star will line up as a major contender following a fourth-placed finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup under new rider Sean Bowen.

Trainer Emmet Mullins
Trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

“I try my best not to let winning the Grand National change my life, but you’d have to ask my friends and family about that.

“My mentality is you see it, you do it and you move on and look forward. I suppose that’s part of the reason why winning the National hasn’t hit home, you’re looking for next year’s National winner and trying to buy horses for the year after’s National.

“I’m trying to see that five-year project the whole time. I suppose I did overshoot the first five-year plan a little bit!

“He seems to have come out of the Gold Cup well. He’s getting a bit wiser every time and seems to look after himself a bit. He needs a bit more coaxing and Sean was under pressure and hard at it in the Gold Cup. When he got a bit of daylight, he flew home.

“He was last jumping the first fence in the Grand National last year and wasn’t in contention for the first two miles which all worked out in his favour. There is no rule of thumb – it’s about getting the horse happy and confident with some space and getting the gaps.

“It will probably have to be taking the brave man’s route again to get that space but he negotiated it last year and fingers crossed can do it again. I will tell Sean to keep going back at look at Sam’s ride last year!”

Mullins focused on present not past glories with National hero Noble Yeats

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Emmet Mullins has his feet on the ground as he prepares Noble Yeats for a Randox Grand National title defence.

The eight-year-old went into last year’s renewal a 50-1 chance with one chasing victory under his belt and a ninth-placed run in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival as his most recent piece of form.

He provided connections with a true fairytale when giving Sam Waley-Cohen, son of owner Robert, a famous victory on what was his last ever ride as an amateur jockey.

Sean Bowen has since taken over the reins and the gelding followed a path to the Gold Cup this season, in which he finished an excellent fourth. And with that meeting out of sight, his attentions turn to Aintree once more.

Though both horse and trainer have a cherished National victory to their names now, Mullins is not resting on his laurels or approaching the race any differently this time around.

Noble Yeats
Noble Yeats (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It’s been a bit different but not too much, I’ve never really let myself dwell on it,” he said.

“Though we’re getting close to it, it’s all about this year and last year’s done and dusted. It’s all about getting back there this year.

“I genuinely don’t look at Noble Yeats and think we won it last year, we’re in it again this year and that’s his aim.”

When asked what he would have said of Noble Yeats’ chances last season, the trainer added: “I probably wouldn’t have told you much! But I was still very confident myself.

“At the weights launch he was about 16-1 or 20-1. I suppose his run at Cheltenham in the Ultima was a bit disappointing but it was a big, competitive field and he was in among the hustle and bustle of it.

Noble Yeats crossing the line at Aintree last season
Noble Yeats crossing the line at Aintree last season (Steven Paston/PA)

“Sam came away from it happy, I was too and that’s when we decided that cheekpieces would be the little bit extra to get out of him.”

The odds seemed to be against Noble Yeats as no seven-year-old had won the National since Bogskar’s victory in 1940, but Mullins was blissfully unaware and quietly confident.

“I didn’t know about the stat about seven-year-olds, I was unaware of it so I wasn’t concerned about it,” he said.

“He had won a three-mile novice hurdle 12 months previous in Navan, or two (miles) six (furlongs) at least, he was always a relentless stayer who came from a point-to-point background.

“There was never any reason to worry. He gallops and he jumps, what more do you want?”

Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen
Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen (Mike Egerton/PA)

Much of the post-race reaction to last year’s win focused on Waley-Cohen and the film-script quality of his final ride resulting in a Grand National winner, but the Carlow locals did not fail to celebrate Mullins’ part in the triumph and he was taken aback by the homecoming he received.

“The biggest shock I got was coming home for the homecoming at the Lord Bagenal, I hadn’t told anyone about it and I was genuinely shocked when I saw the crowds, all the local people that had come out to see him,” he said

“That was the big one that hit home more than anything.”

He added: “He’s been highly tried this year, we went down the Gold Cup route and we’ve probably gone up a few more pounds because of that. Tiger Roll had 11st 5lb (when winning for the second time) and we’re trying to come back 6lb higher with 11st 11lb. Everything’s going to be harder.

“No one knows until we go again and try, (but) he seems to have come out of it (Cheltenham) well.

“Sean will ride again, I think he got a ban but he was able to defer it with the Grade Ones at Aintree. Fingers crossed he can keep quiet and we’ll have him in the plate again.”

‘All systems go’ for Noble Yeats’ National defence

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Emmet Mullins has confirmed Noble Yeats to be firmly on course for his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National next month.

The eight-year-old carried Sam Waley-Cohen to a famous success in the Aintree spectacular last season on what proved to be the amateur rider’s swansong.

Noble Yeats has enjoyed another fine season, with wins at Wexford and Aintree followed by third place in the Cotswold Chase before his staying-on fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mullins reports his stable star to have taken those exertions in his stride and is looking forward to seeing him return to Merseyside to defend his Grand National crown on April 15.

“Noble Yeats looks great and if he hadn’t run in the Gold Cup last week I’d be saying I’d have to work him this week, so it is all systems go for the National,” said the trainer.

“It will be a mammoth task to carry that weight (11st 11lb), but at least we know he’ll take to the course and stay the trip, so those are two big ticks.”

Another Mullins inmate to perform with credit in defeat at the Cheltenham Festival was Corbetts Cross, who was being delivered with a major challenge in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle only to run out at the final flight.

Trainer Emmet Mullins
Trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old, who had won on each of his three previous runs, could now be set for a break.

Mullins added: “It was one of those things with Corbetts Cross and we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

“I’m not sure if we’ll see him again this year as he’s had a funny time since I’ve had him. I ran him at Naas not knowing whether I’d be going to Cheltenham or not and then it nearly came off, but we are in a different position now and will gather our thoughts and reassess him.”

Cheekpieces back on Noble Yeats for Gold Cup challenge

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Noble Yeats will have the headgear that served him so well at Aintree reapplied when he goes for glory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old sported cheekpieces for the first time in the Randox Grand National, racing to a famous success under amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen.

He has not worn them since, but they will be back on for the big race on March 17 – a contest Noble Yeats will arrive at on the back of an encouraging third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Trial day.

Noble Yeats triumphing at Aintree last year
Noble Yeats triumphing at Aintree last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Mullins said: “We couldn’t be happier with him. He’s been in great form since the Cotswold Chase and we’re just hoping we get a clean run with him between now and Gold Cup Day.

“I suppose the cheekpieces made a big difference for him last year (in the National), so we’re hoping for a repeat event. Ground-wise I suppose we’re quite laid back and we’ll take what we’re given. I think a proper Gold Cup test will play to his strengths.

“Obviously he’s going to have to step forward from his last run, but it’s something he’s been able to do in the past and hopefully we can repeat it.”

Walsh ‘absolutely shocked’ by Any Second Now’s National weight

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Trainer Ted Walsh was left “absolutely shocked” after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year’s Randox Grand National.

The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world’s most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the weights were officially unveiled at an annual event in Liverpool on Tuesday.

Walsh memorably teamed up with his son Ruby to claim Grand National glory with Papillon in 2000, but feels Any Second Now would need to be an “exceptional horse” to add his name to the roll of honour.

“All I can say is that I know he’s not Red Rum, I know he’s not a Crisp and he’s not a L’Escargot, so make your own mind up,” said the trainer.

“I’m absolutely shocked that he has top-weight. He goes there in as good form as he did last year. He is in as good nick as he was last year, but he’s got top-weight so make your own mind up.

“I think he’d have to be an exceptional horse to win it with top-weight.”

Reflecting on his previous National triumph, he added: “Winning with Papillon was great. Winning the National is an outstanding moment, but to have your son on board makes it all the sweeter.”

Any Second Now is joined at the head of the weights by Gordon Elliott’s 2022 Irish Gold Cup victor Conflated and Shark Hanlon’s American Grand National hero Hewick, both of whom are first bound for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Just below that trio on 11st 11lb are Conflated’s stablemate Galvin and last year’s winner Noble Yeats, trained by Emmet Mullins.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Randox Grand National on Noble Yeats
Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Randox Grand National on Noble Yeats (David Davies/PA)

The latter was last seen finishing third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and is now on course for the Gold Cup before an intended bid for back-to-back wins on Merseyside.

Mullins said: “I can’t complain with a rating of 166. It’s 19lb more than last year which will be a big ask, but he seems to have progressed well this year and we know he takes to the fences.

“It’s horses for courses and fingers crossed he can put up a bold show.”

Noble Yeats will aim to become only the second horse in history – after Golden Miller in 1934 – to win the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year. Mullins, though, is not getting ahead of himself.

“It’s definitely one race at a time,” he said. “You don’t think of the accolades but if he is lucky enough to do it, then he’ll get the accolades that he deserves.

“It’s special to have a horse run in those types of races, a Gold Cup or a Grand National, but to have a horse who you know is good enough to compete in them at the business end – that’s the exciting part and what keeps the yard going.

“I would say it hasn’t really fully sunk in, even now. Winning the National on our first try in the race, it has probably been lost on me how much goes into it and how many other years people have been trying to win the race and not succeeded, so I’d say I’ve been spoilt a bit and it’s hard to comprehend what happened. I’m sure one day it’ll hit me.”

Mullins also has JP McManus-owned The Shunter (10st 11lb) entered, and added: “That’s (weight) about right. He’s still not qualified I think, on the distance, so potentially he might have an entry next weekend.

“I have two or three races earmarked before the deadline and, fingers crossed, I pick the right one and get him qualified. The intention will be to take his place then if he gets qualified.”

The British Horseracing Authority’s chase handicapper Martin Greenwood is the man charged with framing the weights and is thrilled with the strength in depth in this year’s renewal.

He said: “This year we are doing well at the top end for horses rated in the 150s and 160s and there are a handful of very good horses entered, including last year’s winner Noble Yeats.

“Noble Yeats has around 20lb more than last year, but his form this season in Graded races is the reason for that. The three horses at the top of the handicap – Conflated, Any Second Now and Hewick – you would think are all quite likely to run and it’s very positive that the quality of the race at the top end of the handicap is well up to standard.

“There weren’t any horses that caused me any particular difficulties this year – they were all more or less straightforward horses.”

With Henry de Bromhead announcing the retirement of 2021 winner Minella Times, a total of 77 horses remain in contention.

Corach Rambler looks a likely Grand National contender
Corach Rambler looks a likely Grand National contender (Nigel French/PA)

Greenwood suggested the likely rating required to make the final field will be “around 142 or 143”. There are three horses rated 142 in Eva’s Oskar, Rapper and Recite A Prayer, who is 57th on the list.

Noble Yeats is the 10-1 favourite with William Hill, who have trimmed the odds of both Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler (10st 5lb) and the Willie Mullins-trained Mr Incredible (10st 4lb).

Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Any Second Now looks to have been set a tough task to go one better than his second place finish last year and as a result he has been eased in our betting to 20-1 from 14-1.

“On the flip side both Corach Rambler (14-1 from 16-1) and Mr Incredible (20-1 from 25-1) have been clipped by our traders. Corach Rambler represents a yard in Lucinda Russell who has won the race recently and remains unexposed at extended trips, which look likely to suit.

“Mr Incredible could end up being the all-conquering Willie Mullins’ first string and is unexposed for the yard.”

Noble Yeats aiming to underline Gold Cup claims in Cotswold trial

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Robert Waley-Cohen is excited to see whether Noble Yeats can cement his Gold Cup claims with a bold showing in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old provided the Waley-Cohen family with a day they will never forget at Aintree last spring when claiming Grand National glory under the owner’s amateur jockey son Sam, on what proved to be his final ride before retiring from the saddle.

Emmet Mullins’ charge was pulled up on his return to action at Auteuil in October, but bounced back with victory at Wexford a couple of weeks later before throwing his hat into the Gold Cup ring with a seriously impressive display in Aintree’s Many Clouds Chase the following month.

The Waley-Cohens have already tasted Gold Cup success, with Long Run memorably seeing off Denman and Kauto Star in 2011, and Noble Yeats is a best priced 7-1 to become only the third horse to win the blue riband and the Grand National after L’Escargot and Golden Miller.

But while Waley-Cohen is hopeful his charge can make his presence felt in a fascinating clash with last year’s Gold Cup third Protektorat – winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November – he warns the result is not the be-all and end-all, with the big day still seven weeks away.

“It’s a very hot race. There’s six very good horses in it and obviously Protektorat has done brilliantly, finishing third in a Gold Cup and winning the Betfair Chase,” said Waley-Cohen.

“It will be very interesting and I think it will be good for Noble Yeats to get some more experience of the course.

“But as we keep reminding ourselves, the Cotswold Chase is a furlong shorter than the Gold Cup and I’m not sure I would read too much into the result. This is not the Gold Cup and whatever happens, we’ve still got to meet the likes of A Plus Tard and Galopin Des Champs.”

While doing his best to dampen expectations, Waley-Cohen reports Noble Yeats to have travelled over from Ireland in rude health.

He added: “I don’t want to put anyone off and say we haven’t got him ready, because he certainly is ready. He’s ready to do himself justice, but I hope there’ll be a fraction to work on.

“Trainers like to have their horses super sharp for the big day, but that is not to say they can’t win earlier in the season, of course.

“Protektorat appears to be the best of the British, although given that Noble Yeats spent the entire summer here and I own him, I must admit it’s hard to think of him as Irish, even though he’s Irish bred and Irish trained!

“He’s spent a couple of days with us this week after travelling over and he seems in very happy form.”

Dan Skelton is excited to see Protektorat back on the racecourse, having elected to keep his powder dry since his brilliant Haydock success in November.

Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat
Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat (Nigel French/PA)

He said: “Everything has been really good since Haydock and I’m very happy with him. He looks fantastic and we always wanted to come here after his last run.

“For a few days after Haydock he was a bit quiet but he came out of it sound and healthy, so there was never any issue on that part. Since then we have slowly built him back up and he is fresh and well.

“He has not been for any away days but he is flying around the place and I’d like to think even though Noble Yeats is coming over, he can run well. It should be a good race and I think you should hopefully see something very positive.”

Frodon won the Cotswold Chase four years ago for Paul Nicholls and returns for another tilt after the cold snap scuppered an intended appearance at Taunton last weekend.

The popular veteran is three years older than each of his rivals at the age of 11, but his trainer expects him to run his usual solid race.

“Frodon is fresh and well and he will run a good race, but he might be vulnerable to some of those younger legs again,” said Nicholls.

“It was a shame the Portman Cup at Taunton was called off last week, but he likes Cheltenham and especially the New Course so you just never know.

“He looks as well as I’ve seen him look. He schooled on Monday and he worked great.

“He has an outside chance of winning, but he could run well and get placed.”

Sounds Russian in action at Southwell
Sounds Russian in action at Southwell (Mike Egerton/PA)(

Sounds Russian was fourth behind Noble Yeats at Aintree in the autumn and has since pushed Into Overdrive close in the Rowland Meyrick.

Trainer Ruth Jefferson expects to have a clearer idea of what the future holds for her stable star after Saturday’s race.

She said: “Saturday will tell us where we go with him. He’s got a Gold Cup entry and he will have a handicap entry somewhere.

“He’s grand and doesn’t take a lot of training – he is quite straightforward. We’ve been pleased with him since Wetherby.”

The Lucinda Russell-trained Ahoy Senor was just ahead of Sounds Russian when third in the Many Clouds Chase, but that promising effort is sandwiched by disappointing runs in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the King George at Kempton.

Ahoy Senor needs to bounce back to form
Ahoy Senor needs to bounce back to form (Tim Goode/PA)

Russell is keeping her fingers crossed the eight-year-old can re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with, saying: “He was a freak as a hurdler and a freak as a novice chaser and he did extremely well as a novice chaser.

“But he was running on pure ability, whereas this year he has had to knuckle down and learn how to really race properly.

“He can’t just boss fields like before in the company he’s been running in and I’d like to think with that bit of confidence he has got from the runs he has had this season, he could build on that and if he does build on that, we might create a monster again.”

The field is completed by Nicky Henderson’s outsider Dusart, who returns to the larger obstacles after finishing sixth over hurdles on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham last month.

Noble Yeats team anticipating ‘proper race’ in Cotswold heat

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Sean Bowen believes the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase will inform connections of exactly where they stand with Noble Yeats.

Bowen, second in the championship standings behind Brian Hughes, picked up the ride one Emmet Mullins’ stable star after Sam Waley-Cohen quit in fairytale circumstances following his Grand National last April.

Unbeaten in two races together, a Listed event at Wexford and the Grade Two Many Clouds at Aintree, Noble Yeats and Bowen face genuine Gold Cup quality opposition this weekend with Betfair Chase winner Protektorat and a previous King George winner in Frodon in opposition.

“It will be the first time I’ve sat on him since Aintree and I’m looking forward to it,” said Bowen.

“I’ve not heard too much from Emmet as he likes to keep himself to himself, but if he is going for a race like this, I put full faith in Emmet getting him right for the day.

“I think he is one of those horses that never overdoes anything. I suppose at Wexford he did what he needed to, and with a horse like that, you never really know how much they have got left in the locker until they have a proper fight on their hands.

“I suppose Saturday will show us how good he really is as he will be having a proper race there. To be honest he probably does need to take another step forward, but again I think he is capable of that given how he never overdoes things.

“He is a very straightforward ride and he doesn’t do much until you ask him. Hopefully there is plenty left in the locker when I need it on Saturday.”

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (left), his father Robert Waley-Cohen (right) and trainer Emmet Mullins
Ex-Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (left), his father Robert Waley-Cohen (right) and trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

Speaking of the circumstances regarding getting the ride, Bowen added: “I’m in a very lucky position. It’s hard when you are freelance to find a horse that takes you to the next level.

“I’m very grateful to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner), Sam and Emmet for giving me this chance.”

Cotswold Chase target for Lingfield absentee Noble Yeats

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Grand National hero Noble Yeats is set to be rerouted to the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday week after an administrative error ruled him out of Sunday’s Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield.

The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old provided amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen with a fairytale success in last year’s renewal of the Aintree spectacular, on what proved to be his final ride.

Noble Yeats was pulled up on his reappearance at Auteuil, but has since impressed in winning a Listed prize at Wexford and Aintree’s Many Clouds Chase, with the latter success in particular thrusting him into the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.

Connections identified the £165,000 Fleur De Lys Chase as a suitable next port of call – but it was confirmed on Tuesday that he will not be able to line up as the horse’s vaccination record is not compliant with the Rules of Racing.

The British Horseracing Authority said in a statement that a change to the rules came into effect this month, following a 12-month transition period to allow trainers to adjust to the changes to the vaccine booster intervals.

Owner Robert Waley-Cohen, however, feels improvements to the entry system could still be made.

He said: “It’s disappointing, but the ground at Lingfield could be awful. They’ve covered what was waterlogged ground because of the frost, which is not a good combination, and they’ve already abandoned racing on Friday, so maybe we’ve dodged a bullet.

“On the other hand, I don’t really understand why the programme is set up in such a way that they don’t advise you that more information is required until the deadline has passed.

Robert Waley-Cohen (right) with Noble Yeats
Robert Waley-Cohen (right) with Noble Yeats (Brian Lawless/PA)

“Whenever you’re making entries, surely it should trigger something to say you need to upload some more information.

“I’ve just got on a flight and when you’re checking in they say you need to input your Covid information and your visa information, then you can select a seat and check-in. They don’t say when you turn up at the door ‘sorry you can’t fly today because you haven’t uploaded your information’.

“I think it’s disappointing that they don’t have a trigger saying ‘thank you for you entry, you need to to give us more information before this entry becomes valid’.

“A great many people are getting caught out with it because obviously vaccination is an ongoing thing and you have to keep on uploading on a regular basis for different horses – and people make administrative errors, that’s why they’re trainers and not businessmen.”

When asked whether he had discussed an alternative plan with Mullins, Waley-Cohen added: “We’ve had lots of chat and I think it’s almost certain that he’ll go to the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham six days later.”

Noble Yeats forced to miss Lingfield engagement

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Grand National hero Noble Yeats will miss his intended appearance at Lingfield this weekend after it emerged he does not qualify for Sunday’s Fleur De Lys Chase.

The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old provided amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen with a fairytale success in the Aintree spectacular last year, on what proved to be his final ride.

Noble Yeats was pulled up on his reappearance at Auteuil, but has since impressed in winning a Listed prize at Wexford and Aintree’s Many Clouds Chase, with the latter success in particular thrusting him into the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.

Connections identified the £165,000 Fleur De Lys Chase as a suitable next port of call – but it was confirmed on Tuesday that he will not be able to line up as the horse’s vaccination record is not compliant with the Rules of Racing.

A BHA spokesman said: “The BHA can confirm that Noble Yeats is not qualified to take part in the Fleur de Lys Chase (Class 2) at Lingfield Park on Sunday, as the horse’s vaccination record is not compliant with the Rules of Racing.

“Vaccinations must have been administered, uploaded to the Weatherbys App and verified by a veterinary surgeon before the close of entries to avoid a horse being NQd. In the case of Noble Yeats, this process was not completed in time, meaning the horse is not qualified to run.

“This change to the Rules of Racing came into effect this month, following a 12-month transition period to allow trainers to adjust to the changes to the vaccine booster intervals. The BHA and IHRB have taken a co-ordinated approach to its implementation.”