The Irish jumps is in danger of becoming the Willie Mullins show are comments made in an interview with former jockey, Bryan Cooper.
Some may already hold that view but there are other trainers giving him a run for his money.
It true to say Mullins leads and is still undisputed champion trainer .
It is intresting listening to the views of top jockeys like Cooper,who recentlly gave his opinion, in an interview with Boylesports.
Pictured above are ; Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell (3rd & 4th from left ) and Tony Martin (far right) top Meath trainers in their own right speaking
to David Jennings at a Cheltenham preview would surely have thier own ambitions.
Here are some of the quotes from Cooper (BC);
Cooper said Irish jumps is in danger of becoming the Mullins show, but is looking forward to seeing one of his novice stars in action, picked a five to follow for the season and spoke on why Meath trainer Elliott could make a much stronger challenge to Mullins this season with a resurgent O’Leary backing him.
BC: Both on the jumps and the flat, to be fair, there is a semblance of one yard of dominance. If you look at the flat results over the last few months, Aidan O’Brien was probably one and two and then Joseph O’Brien third and Donnacha O’Brien fourth.
The jumps for sure too, it is becoming a Willie Mullins show. Then there’s Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and now Gavin Cromwell is doing very well too. I think Willie has simply set the bar for everyone and is getting bigger and bigger.
He’s also spending bigger at the sales too, I have seen it myself. They are lucky they have loyal owners and can pump the money in. Gigginstown have been spending an awful lot as well.
Gigginstown are making a resurgence despite initially scaling back their involvement
BC: From what I can see, they have spent a lot of money, yes. They have bought a fair few point to point winners, they have a lot of horses back with Gordon now so they seem to be spending a lot more.
I know Michael [O’Leary, Ryanair boss and Gigginstown owner] said he was getting out and scaling back but it wouldn’t be like Michael to play a few mind games…it is great for them to stay in the game and support the sport.
Gordon Elliott will be keen to put up a fight to Willie Mullins this year
BC: He has spent a lot of money on some point to point horses, so I will be very interested to see where they go.
I am very interested to see where Gerri Colombe goes on soft ground, he is probably Gordon’s standout horse. I am also keen to see where Irish Point goes, he won at Aintree, if they go chasing with him he could rank highly.
Teahupoo as well, he has paid his way. Gordon has some money spinners there and he is always interesting to follow in the big field handicaps. He throws a lot of firepower at them and then the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas time and the Irish Grand National too. He’s very determined on putting it up to Willie as best as he can.
I think he is doing things differently this season, a few of their winter horses have taken a run whereas previously they might have been waiting at this time of year so maybe he is attacking it in a different way.
Bryan Cooper’s five to follow this season
Kargese – Willie Mullins
Mirazur West – Willie Mullins
Inthewaterside – Paul Nicholls
Corbetts Cross – Emmet Mullins
Butcher Hollow – Tom Cooper
“Bryan Cooper was speaking to Boylesports, who offer the latest horse racing odds“
