Mullins eyes three in a row: champion trainer plots fresh assault on Britain's top races as he bids for third straight title

Willie Mullins is set to mount his challenge for a third successive British trainers' title sooner than usual this season, with stars such as Il Etait Temps, Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior and Anzadam in line for early raids across the Irish Sea.

In the last two campaigns, Mullins took the honours with strong finishes after the British championship had only become a distinct possibility following hugely successful meetings at Aintree before a final push to secure the trophy at Sandown.

However, this season some of his big guns are set to head to Britain for early Grade 1 targets. Il Etait Temps will lead the way, with a crack at the Tingle Creek in the pipeline. 

Mullins has not had a runner in Sandown's two-mile showpiece since 2022, but he will be targeting it with Il Etait Temps, who bolted up in the Celebration Chase at the Surrey track in April following an 11-month layoff.

He is also plotting a route to the King George with Ryanair winner Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior. Next month's John Durkan is the likely first step for that talented pair, while the unbeaten Anzadam could be set for the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

Willie Mullins: change of approach this seasonCredit: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

"I'm trying to get Il Etait Temps ready for the Tingle Creek," said Mullins, speaking at Horse Racing Ireland's launch of the jumps season. "It's not a race I'd normally go for, but he performed so well at Sandown in the Celebration Chase, it would be an opportunity missed.

"He came in a little earlier and we might try and run in the Clonmel Oil if the ground is nice. Otherwise we're going to have to go there without a run, but he was off for a long while before the Celebration Chase last season.

"I think Fact To File would be well up to a King George and we're probably planning to go that route with Gaelic Warrior as well. Anzadam looks to have enough potential to go for the Champion Hurdle. I think we're looking at the Fighting Fifth with him.

"Anzadam and State Man are owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, so rather than have the two in the Morgiana, that might be another change to the season we haven't done in a while."

When asked if such targets are reflective of a more concerted effort to regain his British trainers' title, Mullins replied: "It's more keeping horses for the same owners apart. However, there is a side benefit of it as well, if we can earn some early prize-money."

Plans for Closutton stalwarts such as dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and 12-time Grade 1 winner State Man are straightforward as they will go down a similar route to previous campaigns.

"Galopin Des Champs will go down the same route again. Hopefully, he can hit all his targets between the John Durkan, Christmas, Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham," said Mullins. "We touched on whether we should have one race less, but he put up a very good performance at Punchestown.

"State Man was very unlucky at Cheltenham last year and he showed us all what Paul [Townend] had been telling me. He had no doubt that he was always going to ride him, even if Lossiemouth pitched up in the Champion Hurdle. It was probably hard to see on the evidence, but State Man is an older, lazier horse and was doing only half what he's able to do. He'll start in the Morgiana."

State Man and Paul Townend at ClosuttonCredit: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Ballyburn is likely to revert to hurdles after a couple of underwhelming efforts over fences in the spring, while dual Mares' Hurdle winner Lossiemouth will reappear in the Hatton's Grace. Majborough will make his return in the Hilly Way at Cork, while Grand National hero Nick Rockett is another who could be seen in Britain this side of Christmas.

"Ballyburn doesn't seem to have enjoyed his time over fences," Mullins said. "I've brought him in early and done a lot of groundwork with him. He'll be better served going back over hurdles. We can always go back over fences at some stage, but I'm keen to go down the staying hurdle route with him.

"I'd imagine the Hatton's Grace is the first race for Lossiemouth. She'll tell us after that, but she'd look a hot order for the Mares' Hurdle again."

Mullins added: "To me, Nick Rockett is quite entitled to be entered in the Gold Cup. Looking at the way he handled Aintree, we'll have to look at going back. The John Durkan is an option but maybe we should look at those English races for his first run.

"Majborough made a few mistakes at Cheltenham and that disappointed me. That's the only reason I might go up in trip with him, as it's not like him at home. If he jumps well in the Hilly Way, we'll get another run into him over two miles at Christmas and then be on for the Champion Chase."

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