InterviewPatrick Mullins
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'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard

The new racing writer of the year takes a trip to Cullentra House Stables to visit his yard's great rival

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Racing writer of the year

It’s 1,275km from the centre of Rome to the gates of Athens. But only 109km from Closutton to Cullentra. One hour and 16 minutes with a good run.

The brief came in an email, to interview Gordon Elliott. The reminder came by text. Twice. They did ask in October, to be fair.

What do you ask Gordon Elliott that he hasn’t been asked 40 times already? Hard to know. Everyone knows where he came from, how he got here and exactly where he wants to go. The first question I asked him was whether he would do it and he said yes straight away. Gordon Elliott never has a cold. I said I’d come up after first lot, because in Closutton not even Jesus Christ at Christmas gets to come in for first lot, when Willie hasn’t even had his breakfast yet.

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