Still not out of the running, Mullins horse Rolly Baby has just won at Perth in the McCarthy and Stone Challenge cup which ran at 3.40, keeping momentum up on the Trainers Championship until tomorrow, the final day. Yesterday was a see-saw ride with Mullins in front, then Nicholls overtaking, but Mullins is not to be written off, taking the slow and steady approach.
The 11 year old Rolly Baby has been lightly raced but raced well at Navan on his last outing. He wasn’t the favourite today but he showed his class and pulled ahead on the last stretch winning comfortably and bagging £9,097 in winnings. Places at 15/8 earlier today but finishing at 2/1 with Skybet. This pulls Mullins back into contention, but Nicholls is still to race today, putting all his eggs in Chepstows basket which kicks off at 4.30 today.
More disappointing was Pair of Jacks, so much promised but sadly never managed to deliver, but sadly not his day today. Second to Rolly Boy was Uhlan Boy, trained by Venetia Williams, ahead at one point and kept the pressure up until the last three furlongs when Paul Townend changed up a gear and Rolly Baby was firing on all cylinders, they didn’t really stand a chance after that.
So an excellent win for Mullins and Townend, the question on everyone’s lips is who is riding who tomorrow for Willie Mullins, who as usual is playing his cards close to his chest. It could be a close run thing depending on the outcome of today’s races later at Chepstow, so don’t forget to keep an eye on them before the big event tomorrow.
Don’t forget there are plenty of other races going on today, Sandown, Plumpton, Doncaster, Perth and Chepstow in England a well as the Irish races and some abroad. Keep an special eye out tomorrow for the special events at Sandown, Jockey and Trainer Championships. The big race tomorrow being the Bet 365 Gold cup at 4.10 at Sandown, with the biggest prize of the day in the region of £85k.