Lombron – 2nd in 4.10 Sandown 26/04/25
Willie Mullins trained the second and third placed runners in the Bet365 Gold Cup. Lombron is the horse to take from the race having made a mistake five out and a stumble over the pond fence. Rachel Blackmore would have preferred to have been closer to eventual winner Resplendent Grey on the run to the line after going two lengths up over the final fence.
The winner had more racing experience and that was a big advantage riding the finish. Lombron was having his fourth run over fences and first in a handicap so what a corker he ran. The handicapper has raised him three pounds to a mark of 145. He is only six years old and looks a major player if Willies takes aim at the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury next season.
Il Etait Temps – 1st in 3.35 Sandown 26/04/25
What a performance by horse and trainer to win the Celebration Chase on the final day of the UK season. Il Etait Temps had not run all season yet returned to beat Jonbon easily. Danny Mullin said post race that Il Etait Temps jumped better than ever over fences which is a challenge around Sandown.
The current Cheltenham and Punchestown champion chase winner Marine Nationale has a serious challenger on his hands. Of the two I would side with Willie Mullins, Il Etait Temps who is not as ground dependent as Marine Nationale. Less we forget, the novices Sir Gino and Majborough could make it a vintage champion chase next season.
Mister Policeman – 1st in 3.57 Cork 20/04/25
Mister Policeman has not been seen since the Galway Plate last summer. He returned to Cork on Sunday and won nicely proving he stays three miles no problem. That will open up doors for this horse over fences.
JJ Slevin rode at Cork and mentioned that Willie Mullins said to ride him for speed. He’s classy and will have no issue dropping back to two and a half miles at the Punchestown Festival. As a fresh horse he would have a big advantage at Punchestown and is entered in a valuable two and a half mile handicap chase.
Spindleberry – 1st in 2.22 Fairyhouse 20/04/25
Willie Mullins has a top class chasing mare on his hands with Spindleberry. She beat the boys to win the WillowWarm Gold Cup (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse won on just her third run over fences. This mare jumps for fun and likes some soft ground. She reminds me a lot of Willie’s former top class mare Colreevy.
Spindleberry will have no problem getting three miles in time. If kept in training she is going to be hard to beat next season in the Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Captain Cody – 1st in 3.35 Ayr 12/04/25
Willie Mullins trained Captain Cody won the Scottish National easily. This was quite the performance as he looked to have lost the race with a slow jump at the last. Harry Cobden was confident Captain Cody would pick up and he quickened from the last to win going away. Captain Cody showed a nice turn of foot to win which can prove a potent weapon in future nationals.
This race was only his fifth run over fences and he proved he stays well. A run in the Bet365 Gold Cup could well be his final race this season. I would think that all next season his goal will be to try and win the Aintree Grand National. He is young at seven now and an extra year and some more jumping experience would see him mature and ready for the Aintree centrepiece.
The Four Sixes – 1st in 4.25 Ayr 11/04/25
Olly Murphy’s decision to pull stumps on The Four Sixes chasing this season has paid dividends. He failed to see out three miles on soft at Newbury however has won twice putting up career best runs since.
The Four Sixes is a relentless galloper over two and a half miles and a little further. He is a horse to follow back over fences next season. On his second run over fences he jumped well until making a howler and unseating Kevin Brogan at Wetherby. Olly Murphy will give him a summer break and I think this horse could go and land a big two and a half mile handicap over fences next season
Kopeck De Mee – 2nd in 2.20 Aintree 04/04/25
Willie Mullins enjoyed a fantastic Aintree Festival. Kopeck De Mee didn’t win but almost did! Kopeck De Mee was all the rage in the Martin Pipe handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He ran poorly at Cheltenham but showed why he is so highly regarded with a cracking run at Aintree.
Mark Walsh rode him confidently and was surprised by how well the winner Wellington Arch kept on up front. I loved the way Kopeck De Mee quickened after the final hurdle and he would have won in another few strides. It was his second run for Willie Mullins with lots more to come by that over hurdles or fences. Kopek De Mee was giving thirteen pounds to the winner with both clear of the third who was clear of the rest. Another quality horse to follow for owner JP McManus.
Eye Catchers April 2025
Free Horse Trackers
There are several good horse trackers available to Punters. These trackers can be used to receive alerts on the eye catchers listed above. Some are free while others require a subscription such as with the racing post.
Below are links to some of the better free Horse Trackers available to punters.