Willie Mullins 'very happy' with sole runner on first day of National meeting

Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase | 2m5f | 6yo+ | ITV/RTV

It tells you all you need to know about where Aintree ranks in Willie Mullins’ list of priorities when his only runner on the opening day of the festival comes in the Foxhunters', the first race over the National fences at the meeting.

That one runner is likely to yield a winner for Ireland’s champion trainer as Billaway sets a high standard for the others to aim for after finishing runner-up in the equivalent of this race at the Cheltenham Festival.

On that occasion, Billaway was ridden by Paul Townend because amateurs were forced to miss the meeting due to Covid-19 protocols. However, they have been free to ride in Britain since March 29, meaning Ireland’s champion amateur Patrick Mullins will be back aboard Billaway here.

The pair are a formidable duo. Mullins has partnered Billaway to all four of his hunter chase victories and clearly gets a fine tune out of a horse who is not exactly straightforward.

Billaway is not what you would call a rock-solid jumper and this will be his first time tackling the Aintree fences but he should be difficult to beat on the strength of last month's Cheltenham effort.

Unlike Mullins, Paul Nicholls has huge strength in depth in his Aintree squad and his two runners here, Cat Tiger and Sametegal, boast obvious claims.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Billaway
He ran well at Cheltenham and looks like a horse who will jump around this track. I’m very happy with him.

Cat Tiger: the mount of David MaxwellCredit: Edward Whitaker

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Cat Tiger and Sametegal
This has been the aim for Cat Tiger since David [Maxwell] bought him. He ran in novice hurdles last season and qualified for this by winning at Leicester last month. David won on him over fences at Auteuil [in November 2018] and hopefully he's got a leading chance. Sametegal ran very well at Wincanton, beating the horse that went on to win the Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham [Porlock Bay]. We then ran him too quick at Fontwell to try to qualify for Cheltenham, which we didn't take up in the end. He's jumped round the National course before and hopefully he's got a nice chance.

Richard Newland, trainer of Dashing Perk
He seems in good form and we've trained him for the race, hopefully he'll take to the fences but it looks a hot renewal. There's a lot of good horses in there but I'm hoping he gives Sam Waley-Cohen a great spin.

Henry Oliver, trainer of Killaro Boy
He's in tremendous form and will have come on plenty for his return at Leicester, which qualified him for this. He'll be a different horse on spring ground, he's had a spin around this course and Zac [Baker] has won a hunter chase on him. He ran well for a long way in the Sefton a couple of years ago but got injured that day and was coughing after the race. He'd previously ran two big races in the Summer Cup and a veterans' chase and if he reproduces that form he should be in the mix.

Gina Andrews, rider of Latenightpass
He ran a great race at Cheltenham and if he takes to the National fences he should have a chance. The step back in trip will play to his strengths as he's a strong traveller and he's versatile regarding tracks as he's won on flat and undulating courses in point-to-points. He has a bit to find with Billaway on the Cheltenham form but Aintree is a totally different track and hopefully he takes to it.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Looking Well
The old boy is in good form and ready to run well. He was a little bit gassy in the early part of the race last time, but once he got half settled he ran all right.

Denise Foster, trainer of Mighty Stowaway
He’s not just making up the numbers. He’s in great form and is looking good at home – he worked well the other day.

Shark Hanlon, trainer of Rewritetherules
The horse is in mighty form. He doesn’t quite stay three miles, even though he’s won over it, but I think this trip will suit him a lot better. He has an each-way chance.

David Christie, trainer of Some Man
He jumps well and he has very quick feet so, touch wood, he can run well. The one thing I'd be worried about is his inexperience. On good ground on this trip, it'll be ideal for him. I know they go 100 miles an hour but we’ll probably try and ride him handy on this ground.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Tango De Juilley
He's spent the best part of the last four years eating grass out in a field and it's lovely to see him back being competitive. Lucy [Turner] is our stable amateur and has been round in the Foxhunters' before. Hopefully he'll give her a good ride.

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