Patrick Mullins was asked to name a few horses to follow ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 Jumps season on Racing TV recently, and the leading amateur rider nominated four youngsters from Willie Mullins' yard who he is "very much looking forward to seeing over Jumps". Make sure you add each one to your Racing TV Tracker!
Ballyburn
Age: 5.
Form: 111-
Ballyburn was an impressive winner at Punchestown when last seen
Displayed plenty of speed when winning on his point-to-point debut last year and created a big impression on his first start under rules at Punchestown where, despite pulling hard, he found plenty under pressure to win going away. Made it two from two for the Mullins team when scoring at the Punchestown Festival where he again took a keen hold, and has bundles of potential as a novice hurdler this season. He's also a full-brother to Noble Endeavor.
Patrick says: “Ballyburn is a horse I can’t wait to see; again, probably over slightly further. He’s a horse that, at home, does enough, but in a race, when it comes down to a finish, give him a flick or two and he really hits overdrive. He's got huge ability.”
Fact To File
Age: 6.
Form: 1/122-
Fact To File found only A Dream To Share too good in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham Has some of the best bumper form from last season next to his name having chased home A Dream To Share in the Future Stars Bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival, and in the Champion Bumper at the
Cheltenham Festival. This point-to-point winer rates a high-class prospect this season, and is the general 10-1 ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
Patrick says: “He's a bit older, and he could possibly go over further as well.”
Ile Atlantique
Age: 5.
Form: 3/122-
fairyhouse
18:10 Fairyhouse - Monday April 10
Ile Atlantique shaped with bundles of promise last season
Third on his sole start over hurdles in France, this five-year-old defeated Feronily, who won a Grade One over fences four months later, on his bumper debut for Willie Mullins before finishing second on his next two outings. It was a shade disappointing he suffered those defeats, but it's likely he bumped into two above-average rivals on both occasions, and he has bundles of potential.
Patrick says: “I think he is a much better horse than his bare form. I think he wants softer ground, and a further trip.”
Tullyhill
Age: 5.
Form: 112-
punchestown
18:30 Punchestown - Wednesday April 26
Tullyhill produced some strong bumper form last season
Another point-to-point winner who impressed on his debut under rules and gave A Dream To Share plenty to think about when second behind that high-class rival in a Grade One bumper at the Punchestown Festival. He should take high rank in the novice hurdle division this season based upon the huge amount of potential he showed last season.
Patrick says: “He gave A Dream To Share most to think about (when second at the Punchestown Festival).”