Mullins hits record number of winners – can anyone stop him at DRF?
GENIUS trainer Willie Mullins is enjoying his best ever start to the calendar year with a record number of winners.
The Closutton handler has 40 winners at the time of writing in January – six more than last year.
And it could spell doom for all his rivals at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival, with Mullins set to unleash some of his biggest stars, including Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs.
And of the eight Grade 1 races over the weekend, Mullins has seven favorites.
The only thorn in the side is the Barry Connell-owned and trained wonder horse Marine Nationale.
Last year's Supreme winner leads the betting for Saturday's Irish Arkle, where he is likely to face Mullins' Gaelic Warrior.
Otherwise, Mullins acquired terrifying power and depth throughout all the major races.
This includes defending Irish Champion Hurdle star State Man.
Mullins will also have Predators Gold and Loughglynn in the Nathaniel Lacy, while Spring Juvenile Hurdle second favorite Salvator Mundi could shake up the Triumph betting if he gets the better of market leaders Storm Heart.
They headline his Saturday selection, while Sunday sees the return of Fact To File and Grangeclare West in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase.
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They both lead the market for the Brown Advisory at the festival.
While a decision on whether Ballyburn runs in the Supreme over 2m or Ballymore over 2m5f could be made after his run in the big Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Whatever happens, it looks like Gordon Elliott and Co will do a great job of beating the Mullins steamroller.
He is currently running at a staggeringly high success rate of 45 percent, while Elliott is trailing at a still respectable 19 percent.
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