Trainers’ title-chasing Mullins planning all-out assault at Grand National Festival

David Metcalf | March 30, 2016

Mullins all the rage for British trainers’ championship

Willie Mullins is into an odds-on 2/5 with Coral to win a first British trainers’ championship, after unveiling plans for an all-out assault on Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival meeting with his stable big guns.

The County Carlow handler had been 5/4 prior to revealing that recent Cheltenham Festival superstars Annie Power, Douvan and Vautour would be heading to Merseyside – along with Gold Cup third Don Poli.

It’s a massive statement of intent from Ireland’s leading trainer, and puts huge pressure on current title holder Paul Nicholls.

Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power is set for the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on the opening afternoon (Thursday, April 7th), along with Nichols Canyon, while Don Poli is heading for the Betfred Bowl on the same card.

Ryanair Chase victor Vautour is in line for the Melling Chase 24 hours later, with brilliant Arkle Challenge Trophy hero Douvan pencilled in for the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase on Grand National day.

Horses in good form, but hoping for a bit of rain

Mullins said: “We will be bringing a lot of our horses to Aintree, and I just hope we get a bit of rain before then. Annie Power and Nichols Canyon both appear to be in good form and could run in the Aintree Hurdle.

“Vautour may go for the two-and-a-half-mile race and Don Poli over three miles and one. Black Hercules will be entered, Douvan could go there. They have all had it easy since Cheltenham.”