Horse In Profile: Minella Cocooner

Willie Mullins is hoping to retain his British trainers' championship at Sandown on Saturday afternoon and the Closutton maestro could be turning to a familiar ally at the Esher venue in Minella Cocooner.

A year ago, Mullins became the first Irish-based handler in eight decades to win the trainers' title in Britain and Minella Cocooner was integral to that as he won the bet365 Gold Cup under Danny Mullins.

After finishing behind Nick Rockett in his last two starts, Minella Cocooner looks set to make the trip to Sandown once more as Mullins and Dan Skelton prepare for one final roll of the dice in what has been a fascinating tussle for the trainers' title.

Travelling in numbers for the finale

The UK jumps season officially ends at Sandown on Saturday afternoon and both Mullins and title rival Skelton are going in with as much artillery as they can.

Mullins and Skelton made a combined 71 entries for the spectacular Sandown jumps season finale and the Irishman will weigh up his options before final declarations on Thursday.

"We have tried to cover all bases and see what happens. Who knows what way things are going to go," Mullins told the Racing Post. "They are all there. We will have a look at what other people might be doing and then have a look at the ground."

There were 34 confirmations for the bet365 Gold Cup at the six-day stage, with Mullins responsible for 15 and Skelton with three. Minella Cocooner is being lined up for a repeat bid and with nearly £100,000 going to the winner, it could be a pivotal race.

DRF win highlights staying power

Minella Cocooner has always been viewed as a strong staying type by connections and he showcased that ability when landing a 2m6f Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival.

That was his first time pairing up with Danny Mullins in the saddle and Minella Cocooner went on to finish second in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown that spring, both times behind stablemate The Nice Guy.

Later that same year, the David Bobbett-owned gelding debuted over fences by finishing second to Classic Getaway at Gowran Park over 2m4f, but he then sat out for over a year.

Rising in trip the key to success

When he did return at Leopardstown in December 2023, Minella Cocooner was a long way off the pace as stablemate Fact To File took a beginners' chase over 2m5½f.

He won a beginners' of his own at Navan last January over 3m and ran good races in defeat in Listed/graded company at Navan, Naas and Fairyhouse before making the journey to Sandown as Team Mullins battled for a first British trainers' crown.

They were well on their way to victory that afternoon when Minella Cocooner and Danny Mullins rattled home to win the 3m4½f bet365 Gold Cup by a neck from the gallant Annual Invictus, with a certain Nick Rockett behind in third under Paul Townend.

Slow burning season ready for big finish?

Minella Cocooner tackled a trio of Grade 1 races in Ireland to start his 2024/25 season, finishing down the field in the John Durkan at Punchestown before the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

He was better in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in late February when fourth behind Nick Rockett and then finished seventh as that same stablemate secured a famous Aintree Grand National win under Patrick Mullins at the start of this month.

He contested the Aintree showpiece off a mark of 157 but will be 5lb lower if taking his chance at Sandown on Saturday.

That would leave him just 1lb higher than when he won the bet365 Gold Cup a year ago. With his trainer locked in a tense battle for the trainers' title, it could be left to Minella Cocooner to fill the coffers at Sandown once again.