See also » Mullins and Townend double up with Sir Gerhard
My heart jumped and he stood so far back at it. I hope his back is alright in the morning as he caught it and did well to stand up, and Paul did well to stay on him. But that is what novices do and it is great to make that mistake early in the race as it puts manners on the horse and he jumped fine after that. Paul thought he wasn't racing so, after the fourth-las,t sent him up and was in his hands. He had just been a bit lazy and maybe cantering around on his own on our gallop, he probably thought he was having a quiet day. We teach them, especially the staying chasers, to settle on the mornings they're not working but we were probably overdoing it. I imagine he will go to Cheltenham with very little experience and maybe just that run as I don't see anything else in the calendar for him. We might take our chance and go straight there, maybe for the 2m4f Turners chase or the three-mile race (Brown Advisory Novices' Chase) - they'll be going that bit slower and it'll give him a chance. We're not that well represented in the three-mile race yet but who knows what'll happen between now and then. W P Mullins, trainer

A steeplechase for five years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase
Weights - 5-y-o 11st 8lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs