Mags & Danny Mullins, with Barry Connell © Photo Healy Racing
Danny Mullins believes the future is bright for Anonis despite his unfortunate tumble at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Trained by the jockey's mother, Margaret Mullins, the seven-year-old returned from over a year and a half off the track to run away with a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November and made a winning start to his hurdling career at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
He was in the process of running a big race when falling three flights from home in last weekend's Grade Two novice hurdle and while Mullins junior feels his mount may have struggled to beat the hugely-impressive Pont Alexandre, he is confident he would have come home best of the rest.
Mullins said: "Everything was going well and the race hadn't even got started, so it was unfortunate as I do think he's a very good horse.
"Willie's horse was obviously very impressive, but I would like to think if my lad had stood up he'd have been a good second."
Mullins is unsure whether Anonis will return to Cheltenham in March to compete in one of the major novice hurdle prizes.
"The plan before the race was that hopefully he'd go to Cheltenham. If he'd finished second I think we'd be looking that way," said the jockey.
"After the fall the other day we'll have to see. He's a bit sore and he'll tell us when he's ready to go again."
