‘Massive’ - Willie Mullins’ ‘Bucket List’ Target After Royal Ascot Success Willie Mullins is plotting another Melbourne Cup bid after Ethical Diamond's impressive victory at Royal Ascot, with the trainer viewing Australia's greatest race as a "bucket list item" he's determined to conquer. The champion Irish trainer, who sent Absurde and Vauban to Melbourne last year to finish 5th and 11th respectively, appears ready to roll the dice again with Ethical Diamond, following his commanding performance in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. Dual Pathways: Melbourne vs. Europe "The same connections who rolled the dice with Absurde last year - they obviously like a bit of globe-trotting and for Willie Mullins, it's a bucket list item for him, the Melbourne Cup, as well," noted Emma Nagle on irishracing.com’s YouTube show The Irish Angle. Ethical Diamond's Royal Ascot victory has opened up multiple options for the son of Awtaad, with Mullins considering both traditional European targets and the Melbourne Cup challenge. "He's talking Melbourne Cup, he's talking York as well for the Ebor, but he's also talking about the horse having a big future over hurdles," Nagle explained. The horse's versatility is a key factor in Mullins' planning, with Ethical Diamond having shown ability both on the flat and over hurdles. "He was a hurdler who was massively eye-catching as a juvenile. He wasn't far off Grade 1 level and it was a brilliant performance at Ascot" Nagle observed. Mullins' increasing presence at Royal Ascot adds another dimension to his global ambitions. "Willie took part in the Royal procession that day and he's after getting a horse from the King, so at Royal Ascot he's becoming a regular feature." Nagle noted. Mullins' Growing International Footprint For Mullins, the Melbourne Cup represents the ultimate international challenge. Having conquered Cheltenham repeatedly and making his mark at Royal Ascot, the ‘race that stops a nation’ remains the one major prize that has eluded the master trainer. With connections willing to travel and a horse showing the stamina and class required for Melbourne's gruelling two-mile test, Mullins may well be planning his most serious Melbourne Cup challenge yet. "It wouldn't be a shock whatsoever, he looked like he could develop into a pretty high-class stayer on the flat and from that yard in those colors, it wouldn't be an untaken route at all." Nagle concluded, suggesting that Ethical Diamond's Melbourne Cup tilt could be more than just wishful thinking. Watch The Irish Angle:
