Mullins surprised by Cooldine support

Willie Mullins is in the dark as to why Cooldine is the hot favourite for Sunday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Cooldine disappointed when in need of the run in the Lexus at the same track over Christmas.

But while Mullins is expecting his horse to improve from that, even he is shocked by the ante-post support this week.

"I can't understand quite why Cooldine has been so heavily backed for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday," the trainer said in his weekly blog on www.goracing.ie.

"He has been backed into favouritism, and I can tell you it's not my money!

"I said last week that I was happy with him and looking forward to running him, which I am, but it's extraordinary the way that's been picked up.

"Money Trix and Joncol are the two to beat. They are fit and well and they are going to run right up to their marks, which is something Cooldine hasn't done yet this season - he ran no race at all in the Lexus.

"I just want to see him perform on Sunday."

Nicky Richards, trainer of Money Trix, himself feels Cooldine could take some pegging back if returning to his RSA Chase-winning form.

He said: "Cooldine was pulled up in the Lexus and has obviously got to improve a lot.

"But, in fairness to him, that clearly wasn't his running and if he can get back to the Cheltenham form of last year he'll make us all go.

"Saying that, I wouldn't swap my horse for any other in the race.

"Davy (Russell) knows he stays well and I thought he gave him a beautiful ride last time.

"He said before the race how it would be run and he was pretty much spot-on and it nearly came off.

"We have two outstanding horses in these staying chases in Kauto Star and Denman, but I'd like to think our lad is as good as the rest of them."

Looking further ahead, Richards says his charge will only head for the Cheltenham Gold Cup if ground conditions remain testing.

"Whether he goes to Cheltenham or not will be all about the ground," added the Cumbria handler.

"If it's anywhere near good he won't be going anywhere."