Emmet Mullins' best Festival chances

Trainer Emmet Mullins has become a prominent figure in National Hunt racing, with major successes at the Cheltenham Festival added to his famous Grand National victory at Aintree with Noble Yeats on a burgeoning CV.

Emmet is the nephew of all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins and is based close to his operation in Co Carlow.

The younger Mullins will once more be attempting to assemble a small but select team to travel to the Cotswolds for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

McLaurey

It could be quite the Festival Friday for the Emmet Mullins team, particularly if Dublin Racing Festival winner McLaurey sparkles early doors in the County Handicap Hurdle.

JP Manus is a keen supporter of the team and he will be the first of three leading contenders in green and gold representing Mullins on day four.

He was snapped up after winning an Irish point by eight lengths in November 2023 and connections have been very patient.

McLaurey is improving with every start over hurdles, most recently winning the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle at the DRF off a mark of 120.

He'll get a chunky rise in the weights for that, no doubt, but his trainer enthusiastically suggested afterwards: "I was sure I had an improving horse coming here. He's definitely improved every run.

"He’s mentally not there yet, although Mark said today was the first time he ever travelled in a race."

There could be more to come for sure and he's one of note wherever he turns up next. The County Hurdle looks likely, though Mullins hasn't ruled out stepping up in trip.

Corbetts Cross

There is no doubt that Corbetts Cross is Mullins' leading hope heading to the Cotswolds this year, despite the chestnut gelding being tasked with taking on the best staying chaser of a generation - Galopin Des Champs - in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

A year ago, Corbetts Cross provided Mullins with an emotional success in the National Hunt Cup, run in memory of his late grandmother Maureen Mullins shortly after her passing.

He gave a thumping defeat to a good horse in Embassy Gardens over the three-and-three-quarter-mile test that afternoon and went on to finish a good third behind Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl.

He was only sixth in the King George at Kempton over Christmas but his trainer makes no secret of his ambition for this season.

"I think he deserves a crack at (the Gold Cup)," Mullins told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast in January.

"I've been happy enough with him so far this season. We've just been building towards the Gold Cup. A big performance is definitely in him and I've been training him with just one day in mind."

Its On The Line

Its On The Line certainly has a Cheltenham Festival score to settle after collecting successive silver medals in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup in 2023 and 2024.

He ran in the colours of his trainer in 2023 and finished best of all up the hill as he was denied only 66/1 shock Premier Magic.

Derek O'Connor was once more the man in the plate 12 months ago and this time Its On The Line was much closer to the pace throughout, getting to the lead inside the final furlong, only for Sine Nomine to deny the well-backed 11/8 favourite in the final strides.

He has been quieter this season, beaten favourite at Down Royal over Christmas and again at Naas in February.

However, it would come as no shock if the eight-year-old Presenting gelding put his best foot forward on Friday March 14th back in the Cotswolds.

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