Willie Mullins has a strong team of novices assembled for the Cheltenham Festival which is now just three weeks away, with point-to-point recruits featuring prominently including with two of his ante-post favourite Appreciate It and Monkfish.
Both have already clocked up two Grade 1 successes at Leopardstown this season, and in Appreciate It, a horse that finished third to Envoi Allen in a Ballinaboola four-year-old maiden before opening his account at Dromahane for Pat Doyle, the champion trainer has been surprised by the speed the seven-year-old has produced this term.
“I had him down as a stayer so the fact that he has that turn of foot is good too. He owes me - he destroyed a pair of sheepskin gloves of mine on Saturday evening! But we’re here with him, and his two performances have been good so far, so we’re pleased with him,” said Mullins.
“What he did at Christmas was terrific, and I’m wondering whether he was as good in himself at Dublin or was it a better race?
“He did what he had to when he had to and we all thought he was in trouble turning for home, but when Ballyadam came to him he got the job done – which was the sign of a good horse, and he’s been in great form since.”
Appreciate It (1-3F) remains unbeaten over hurdles after claiming the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. #DublinRacingFestival #rteracing pic.twitter.com/S2TPwdZ4I0
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) February 7, 2021
Monkfish was a narrow winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle last year, and he bids to return to the Festival to follow up in the novice chase division.
A Stowlin four-year-old maiden winner for Cormac Doyle, he was particularly impressive when winning the Flogas Novices’ Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival earlier this month.
“It’s been so far so good with Monkfish, and I’m just hoping he can come back and do the same at Cheltenham. He had a gruelling race there last year (when winning the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle) and I just hope he doesn’t remember that.
“Sometimes horses can, but he’s done everything right this season and done it well within his scope. He’s good at home at the moment and he’s one that I’m really looking forward to at Cheltenham.”
The Flogas Novice Chase goes swimmingly for Monkfish (1-2F). #DublinRacingFestival #rteracing pic.twitter.com/YVr1SUiaGg
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) February 7, 2021
Mullins has enjoyed good fortunes with the point-to-pointers he has recruited from Pat Doyle, and Asterion Forlonge, like Appreciate It, is a graduate of Doyle’s Suirview Stables having won his four-year-old maiden at Oldtown.
“He is the one that I’m aiming at this point in time. We might decide to stay at home for the Ryanair Chase at Fairyhouse, but maybe with the type of season he’s having he could do both because he’s a hardy horse.
“We haven’t seen his best over fences yet. Things haven’t worked out but there’s a big performance in him. I’ll chat to the Donnellys and we’ll see but I’d say the Marsh would be his race for him.”
