Ahead of the start of the Jumps Season proper, we set Tote Ambassador Danny Mullins the challenge of giving us four ‘under the radar’ horses to follow from Willie Mullins’ Closutton training base.  

Danny enjoyed his best ever season in the saddle last term with over 50 winners in Ireland and added 11 Graded race wins to his impressive CV, including a Grade One hat-trick haul at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

A shrewd judge and form connoisseur, Danny has previously tipped Grand National winner Noble Yeats and Irish Grand National winner in his blogs. 

Without further ado, over to Danny for his Four To Follow… 

Ile Atlantique (FR) 

Five-year-old gelding, Form: 3/122-, Last seen: Fairyhouse, 10th April (2nd of 5) 

Owner: Tony Bloom

Profile: 

Conditions hurdle runner-up over 2m2f, Auteuil (19th April 2022), before officially joining Willie Mullins in December 2022. 

A winner of a Leopardstown bumper on stable debut in December 2022, beating now Grade One winner novice chaser Feronily, before twice placing in bumpers last term at Naas and Fairyhouse. 

Danny’s comment: 

“Although he was beaten at quite short odds last season in his final two bumpers, he’s a fine, big horse. 

“I think with the ability he shows us at home, the way he jumps, he’s sure to make into a leading staying novice hurdler this season. He has all the right attributes for it and fingers crossed he can make his mark. 

“He’s possibly a Ballymore or an Albert Bartlett type for the Cheltenham Festival looking at him this early on.” 

Mister Policeman (FR) 

Five-year-old gelding, Form: 41/1-, Last seen: Cork, 9th April (1st of 8) 

Profile:

Lightly raced five-year-old formerly trained by David Cotton. Fourth at Fontainebleau on debut, four lengths behind winner Ivaldi (now rated 133 for Paul Nicholls). Five length winner at Fontainebleau (Very Soft) on second start before joining Willie Mullins. 

Handsome winner despite sketchy jumping on sole Irish start under Michael O’Sullivan at Cork. 

Danny’s comment: 

“He won quite nicely in a conditions race at Cork last season. He wasn’t a novice from winning in France earlier in his career but I think as a Novice chaser he could be well under the radar.

“He’s got a lot of speed. He’s won over two miles beating some experienced, highly rated horses in that race at Cork. 

“I think he can definitely make up into a horse for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.” 

Gala Marceau (FR) 

Five-year-old filly, OR: 141, Form: 1/12123-1, Last seen: Auteuil, 21st May (1st of 10) 

Profile: 

Top class juvenile last term notching up a Grade One victory when taking out the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

Placed behind Lossiemouth at both the Cheltenham Festival and Punchestown Festival before stepping up to 2m3f to score the Grade One Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil. 

Danny’s comment: 

“She’s a mare I know quite well. Although she was a bridesmaid to Lossiemouth quite a few times last year, she did take her scalp once at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

“I think Lossiemouth probably had the upper hand at two miles but what we seen of Gala Marceau at the extended trip of two and a half miles at Auteuil last May really give her the chance of being able to put it up to Lossiemouth off level terms in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. 

“They might be avoiding each other in the lead up to that as Willie Mullins normally does but I think at two and a half miles, Gala Marceau can give Lossiemouth a lot to think about in what could be a brilliant Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on the first day of the Festival this year.”

Junta Marvel (FR) 

Five-year-old mare, Form: 11-, Last seen: Punchestown, 26th April (1st of 13)

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Unbeaten in two bumper starts last term over 2m3f and 2m. Strong travelling type and ran out a cosy winner of hot looking Punchestown race when last seen. 

Danny’s comment:

“She’s one that could be possible for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She won in Limerick and backed that up as well when Jody Townend took the mount in a Grade Three bumper at the Punchestown Festival. 

“She’s definitely a mare that is on the way up and although she wasn’t the choice of Patrick Mullins at Punchestown she showed how good she is. 

“If she can keep everything together she has to be bang in the mix for the Mares’ Novice’ Hurdle at Cheltenham time.”