Emerging stars for Willie Mullins - 'He looks like one of the yard's better novice hurdlers' Willie Mullins’ sustained dominance in National Hunt racing on both sides of the Irish Sea puts him firmly in the running for the title of ‘greatest of all time’ and, if he keeps going, it won’t be long until it’s indisputable. December is here now and we should start to see the operation hit full gear. He has already had some smart winners this year so we’ve picked out three horses who are emerging as possible stars of the future. Anzadam French import Anzadam remains very lightly raced and he has won four of his five career starts so far, finishing second on his only defeat. It’s therefore unlikely that we’ve seen the best of him just yet and he’s shown plenty already. The son of Authorized won both starts in France before joining Willie Mullins and he left a big impression immediately when winning a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse in November 2024. Kala Conti was the well beaten second that day and she has won a Grade 2 since. A trip to Naas for the Limestone Lad Hurdle was next on the agenda and it’s no surprise that he was in a different league to his two rivals that day. Connections have been very patient and that could pay dividends in the long run. Finishing second to Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle on seasonal debut, he travelled smoothly into the race but ran out of gas approaching the final flight. The Sky’s the limit for him and he should improve significantly next time. Final Demand Impressive Lingstown point-to-point winner Final Demand immediately looked like a serious horse, as he bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Limerick on his first start under rules. It was a similar story at the Dublin Racing Festival as he won a Grade 1 over 2m6f with ease. Things didn’t quite go to plan at Cheltenham next time and he was a little flat behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay. Back to his best at Punchestown next time, obviously Cheltenham was just an off day and he left it well behind him. This horse has plenty of size and scope and connections are confident he will make an even better chaser. He did this theory no harm at all when getting off the mark at Navan on seasonal debut. The idea that there’s more to come is both scary and true, so graded novice chases over staying trips will probably show him to best effect. Sortudo The general perception of this horse is that he’s a stayer in the making and could be one for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March. That being said, he didn’t look short of gears when comfortably dispatching useful bumper performer Jalon D’Oudairies over two miles. There was lots to like about that performance and he showed a good turn of foot to kick clear once Danny Mullins pushed the button. Many options will be open to him now and he looks like one of the yard’s better novice hurdlers for this season. A step up in grade should be on the cards next time and he will be worth looking out for, should we see him at some point over the Christmas period. The Dublin Racing Festival’s 2m6f novice hurdle could also suit, if connections decide he needs a trip.
