Too Bossy For Us opens up big-race possibilities

Willie Mullins raised the Cheltenham Festival and the Melbourne Cup as possible targets for Too Bossy For Us following his decisive success at Punchestown.

Formerly a high-class Flat performer for Kevin Philippart De Foy, the five-year-old changed hands for 330,000 guineas in the autumn of 2024 and has since mixed it under both codes.

He was seventh in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last March on what was his jumping debut and was last seen finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in late September.

A 5-4 shot for the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle, he opened his National Hunt account with a decisive two-and-a-half-length victory over stablemate Mino Des Mottes under Paul Townend, with even-money favourite Speculateur just over a length further behind in third.

“He did it nicely. It was a slow enough run contest and we’d have preferred a faster one,” said Mullins.

“He still has a bit of improving to do, he jumped the last very high which showed he has plenty left in the tank. Once he learns to come down and hurdle properly he should improve more.

“He has enough class for the Supreme (Novices’ Hurdle), but we’ll have a look and see what races he’s in and what he’s qualified for, we won’t make a decision at this stage.

“He’ll hopefully be a horse that will be dual purpose during the summer. He’s a horse we might try to qualify for the Melbourne Cup as well.”

Mullins and Townend doubled up in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle, with 7-4 favourite Fillyoureye bolting up by 16 lengths.

The champion trainer added: “He needs a bit of nicer ground and needs a trip. Looking at him today I think he needs a fence too, but I’ll wait until the new season comes in.

“We’ll find a nice hurdle race between now and the end of Punchestown (Festival), possibly something in Fairyhouse for him.”

Another horse who could be heading to Cheltenham in March is Vanillier (15-8 favourite) after he landed the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase for the second year in succession.

Last season Gavin Cromwell’s grey, who filled the runner-up spot in the 2023 Grand National, went on to finish third behind stable companion Stumptown in the Glenfarclas Chase at Prestbury Park and a return to the Cotswolds would appear an obvious target following his latest success in the hands of Keith Donoghue.

“It (cross-country racing) is something different from your day-to-day stuff and I get a good kick out of it,” said the rider.

“He’s brilliant at it, he has good experience. I thought conditions were going to suit today, with the ground and all, and we were hopeful that he’d win.

“I thinking jumping won it for me. I could feel Conflated beside me the whole way, but I was out-jumping him everywhere.

“It’s a year later and he’s after winning again. He is 11 now, but he’s a great horse and it’s great fun to win.”