Champion trainer Willie Mullins has spoken exclusively to BoyleSports after weights for this year’s renewal of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National were released on Tuesday.
The Closutton handler oversaw Burrows Saint’s victory in 2019 and trained his second winner of Ireland’s richest National Hunt race when I Am Maximus got up by a length in a thrilling finish last year.
Mullins discussed his entries for the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National, why 7-year-old novice Nick Rockett could be one to watch, what sort of horse it takes to win a BoyleSports Irish Grand National and BoyleSports’ ten-year anniversary sponsoring Ireland’s most famous jumps race.
2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National Entries
“We have a nice horse called Bronn , he’s nicely handicapped Meetingofthewaters and Classic Getaway are other horses who will qualify, and I’ve a nice novice who does well around Fairyhouse, Nick Rockett , he could be one to keep an eye on. I love horses with form on a track, that old saying - horses for courses. He could have a bit of class.”
Irish Grand National Pedigree
“Obviously you need to have a horse with stamina - Burrows Saint (2019 BoyleSports Irish Grand National winner) just had stamina and jumping ability, but you could be lucky enough to have a little bit of speed, like I Am Maximus has.
“You need a horse that can relax for three or three-and-a-half miles, then just turn it on over the last two or three fences. So, a horse that can relax, that stays, and has that little bit of zip in the end – they’re the three attributes I look for. It’s seldom you get all three in one horse, but if you can get a horse that settles and jumps that’s the first thing, then we work on the rest from there.
“So many times in the National you see the lead change from the second or third last home; guys playing their cards too quickly, so you also need the jockey on board who’s cool enough to sit, and sit, and sit. We’ve been very lucky with Ruby Walsh, and Paul Townend nowadays is fantastic as well.”
BoyleSports’ 10th Year Sponsoring Irish Grand National
“It’s a huge sponsorship, it’s fantastic to have a sponsor like that for that length of time.
“BoyleSports has really put the Irish Grand National back in its proper place in Irish racing, it’s top prize money which it deserves to be.”
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