Mullins finds another Cheltenham contender

Champion Trainer Willie Mullins completed a double at Naas today when his Killultagh Vic powered into the Cheltenham Bumper picture with an impressive win in the concluding Paddy Power We Pay Up To E1million On Winning Bets (Pro/Am) Bumper.

Ridden by the trainer's son Patrick Mullins, Killultagh Vic made the running and while last year's Cheltenham Bumper third and today's 4/6 favourite Golantilla moved into a challenging position early in the home straight, Killultagh Vic found oodles for pressure and quickened instantly.

At the line, Killultagh Vic put 16 lengths between himself and Golantilla for a devastating win leaving Mullins senior to later say “I got a text from Ruby (Walsh) coming down off the stands saying 'he's another one for the boat' and I'd say he's right!

“He's improving with every run and that was a terrific performance after making the pace and to be able to quicken again off it.

“It looks like we have four horses for the Cheltenham Bumper at the moment and along with this fellow, Shanes Hill, Black Hercules and yesterday's winner Westhorpe could all go.”

Today's runner-up Golantilla is also being aimed at a second crack at that same Cheltenham race and today's rider Robbie McNamara later reported “he travelled really well for 1m6f but he just needed the run on that testing ground; he'll improve a hell of a lot from that though.”

Boylesports later introduced Killultagh Vic at 14/1 for the Cheltenham bumper and also pushed Golantilla to 14/1 (from 8s).

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee