It was back-to-back Kerry National’s for Danny and Willie Mullins on Wednesday after Ballygunner Castle bounced back to form, following last year’s success with Spanish Harlem.
The bulk of the Mullins support came for Funiculi Funicula under Paul Townend. Ballygunner Castle didn’t go unnoticed in the market, but Mullins certainly didn’t appear to fancy him.
Speaking to Racing TV afterwards, Willie Mullins said: “I thought he was beaten turning for home. But when he got into the straight he seemed to pick up again when he saw the second-last. It was a very forward ride from Danny. He said to me that he wanted to be good and forward on him.
“It worked out for the horse. He stays well, he has lots of stamina in the pedigree.” Ballygunner Castle is from the distance family of three time Grade 1 winner The Listener, twice over three miles. The 2009 Punchestown Champion Novice winner Offshore Account also features, so it’s no surprise he’s blossomed for this trip.
Mullins was a touch surprised however, as he admitted: “I was saying to a few people in the stands that if I had to leave one of them at home this morning I might have left him. You don’t know in this game. Danny went and did his own thing on him and he hit form on the day.
“I’d imagine all the horses that ran in that will be horses that we’re looking forward to for the spring. We’ll have a look at the Munster National next and maybe the Coral Cup in Newbury. Those staying chases. Hopefully they’ll all get their turn. It’s very hard to win two of those in one year.”
Mullins gave a quick nod to the performance of his other horses, but particularly gave a good word on Spread Boss Ted: “I thought Spread Boss Ted was going very well when he fell. He’s a horse that could feature in one of those long-distance chases before Christmas.”