3 minute read

Willie Mullins is looking forward to plotting the winter campaign for his big guns, including Faugheen and Douvan.

It will be up to the young stars to help fill the void left by the retirement of the 22-times Grade One winner Hurricane Fly.

His record-breaking triumphs included two Champion Hurdles in 2011 and 2013, but this year's renewal was won by stablemate Faugheen.

He is owned by Rich Ricci, who also has Douvan, impressive winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, among his talented team of jumpers.

But whether he goes novice chasing straight away is one of the many subjects yet to be discussed by trainer and owner.

"Douvan has put on a bit of condition. He was always very rakish looking," Mullins told At The Races.

"Faugheen has tremendous condition. He had nice condition last year, but he is stronger again this year.

"They have all done well over the summer. I just want the weather to break before we start upping them to really fast work.

"We haven't discussed anything yet. There will be a pow-wow one of these days and we will see what will happen.

"I don't really know which way Richard (Rich Ricci, owner) is thinking, but we will get round the table at some stage and go through them all."

Asked to name one young horse to watch out for, Mullins chose Admiral Chief, a four-year-old gelding by Presenting, owned by Gigginstown house Stud.

"There is a nice horse catching my eye every morning called Admiral Chief, he's a Gigginstown bumper horse," he said.

"He is a chaser down the line but he covers a lot of ground, so let's hope Michael O'Leary wasn't planning a big gamble on him!"