RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL NEWS: WINNING THE NATIONAL AGAIN “WOULD BE AN HONOUR” SAYS WILLIE MULLINS
Willie Mullins has said it would be an “honour” to win the Randox Grand National for a second time – 19 years after winning the race with Hedgehunter.
The champion Irish trainer has 13 horses currently entered in the Aintree showpiece, including the fourth highest rated on the list, Capodanno, on 11st 4lb and with a 161 rating.
Mullins is expecting to take more than 70 horses to the Cheltenham Festival next month in pursuit of the six winners he needs to reach the magic 100 landmark.
And, speaking after seeing the weights for the Grand National for the first time, he said some of his potential Aintree runners might be travelling to the Cotswolds first.
Asked if he will be giving some of his National entries a run at Cheltenham next month, he said: “We very possibly will. Once we get a look at the weights in more detail then we’ll be firming up plans for the National.
“There are some very interesting looking ratings there and we’d love to have horses with real chances for the race.
“It would be an honour to have another winner of the Grand National on our CV, but we’ve already been very lucky to have won it once and been placed a couple of times.
“It’s a world-renowned race and always a great day out for anyone with a runner in it - it’s the day that Liverpool is on the world map.”
Mullins boasts nine of the top 34 rated horses entered in the race, which will take place on Saturday 13th April.
As well as Capodanno - for whom Mullins says “the Grand National is certainly an option” – I Am Maximus and Janidil are both rated 159 and 11st 2lb, while Asterion Forlonge and Stattler are one pound further back at 158 and 11st 1lb. Classic Getaway is on 157 and 11st exactly, while James du Berlais is rated 152 and 10st 9lb, Bronn has 151 and 10st 8lb, Mr Incredible is 150 and 10st 7lb and Adamantly Chosen is 148 and 10st 5lb.
Assessing the chances of his highest-rated horses, Mullins said: “They’re all weights that they have a chance at.” He also picked out Mr Incredible, who ran in the Grand National last year and has not been seen on a racecourse since unseating at the 24th of the 30 fences, as an interesting contender, adding: “He’s one who could come back this year. I’m very happy with his work at home.”
At a rating of 147 and 10st 4lb Meetingofthewaters would only need eight horses to come out of the list of current entries and Mullins added: “If he got in he’d be very interesting.”
The Closutton handler’s other two entries in the race are Glengouly (rated 146 and 10st 3lb) and Ontheropes (rated 143 and 10st exactly).
