Mullins pleased with Funiculi Funicula ahead of Galway Plate bid

Willie Mullins feels Funiculi Funicula has done everything right in his preparations for the Tote Galway Plate, but warned the “unknown” remains whether he will act at the unique west-coast track.

The progressive six-year-old gelding is favourite to give the master of Closutton a third win in the festival’s €270,000 chasing highlight on day two.

And while Mullins says the horse ticks plenty of boxes he admitted you never know how they will go at the Ballybrit track until they try.

“It is so undulating – I don’t think there is a (finish) hill like it anywhere in Europe – and it is a real horses for courses track,” said Mullins. “Horses either love it or hate it. If they go on it you could run them there twice or three times a week and if they don’t go on it that is it, they just don’t like it.

“Funiculi Funicula is going the right way and we are very happy with his preparation and we are very happy for Paul Townend to ride him. We are very pleased how he is working, he deserves his chance but I don’t know whether he should be favourite or not.

“Like I say we’ve got to handle Galway which is a unique course and not every horse handles it so that is the unknown going in.”

Funiculi Funicula has won his last two and has been raised 8lb for his win in a Listed novices handicap chase under Townend at the Punchestown Festival. It is a nod to a hugely competitive race that Mullins has three others in.

Ballygunner Castle (Danny Mullins) and Spread Boss Ted (Brian Hayes). A fourth, Jalila Moriviere (Mark Walsh), needs one above him to drop out to make it into the 22-runner field.

Predictably, for the joint-richest race of the week, dangers are everywhere not least in the form of Gavin Cromwell’s Will The Wise, winner of the Topham over the National fences at Aintree when last seen.

“He has been to Galway twice before and run well both times (finishing second and first) I think he will enjoy conditions and he will be fine on the ground,” said the Gold Cup-winning trainer.

“But he is on a career-high mark which is going to make life difficult. Aside from that everything else is in his favour so we are hopeful.”

Will The Wise finished a good second to Madara in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which Henry de Bromhead’s Downmexicoway was fourth.

With a 9lb turnaround for just over two lengths, the trainer, who has won the Plate twice before, is hopeful his seven-year-old can turn the form around. He said: “We are very happy with the horse, he is in good form and we are hoping for a good run.”

Gordon Elliott has won more times than any other current trainer winning five of the last 10 renewals. His seven-year-old Nowwhatdoyouthink, set to be partnered by Jack Kennedy, is pushing Funiculi Funicula for favouritism.

Elliott also has joint top-weight Three Card Brag, Maxxum and King Of Kingsfield in the field.