'Best team I've had' - Mullins Willie Mullins admits it could be another couple of weeks before his powerful string are firing on all cylinders on the racecourse. The County Carlow maestro is preparing what he describes as "the best team of horses I've ever had" as he bids to be crowned champion National Hunt trainer in Ireland yet again, but feels the dry autumn has held up his preparation. "We took a good team of horses for a racecourse gallop at Thurles the other day and while it went well, they are probably not as far forward as I thought," said Mullins. "I've a few entered up at Down Royal this weekend but they may not run as I think the majority of the horses are still two or three weeks away from a run. "Thankfully we've had no huge hold-ups with them and hopefully that will continue and we'll have them out before Christmas. "With the way the weather has been I've been afraid to work horses on the fast ground, but hopefully we'll have a good few out in 10 days or two weeks' time. "Everyone wants to be good at their job and I'm no different, so I'd be delighted if I can be champion trainer again. "Last season we were lucky as we never had any problems with the general health of the yard, so hopefully it will be the same again this time." Yet again Mullins is mob-handed in all divisions, with his novice hurdle team looking particularly strong at this early stage. "We had some really nice bumper horses last season and hopefully they'll all do well over hurdles," the trainer continued.
