Randox Grand National hero Noble Yeats remains firmly on course to bid for a historic double at Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourse this spring.
Noble Yeats famously won the Grand National, under amateur Sam Waley-Cohen on his final ride as a jockey back in April, to become the first seven-year-old since Bogskar in 1940 to land the world's greatest steeplechase. And being much younger than many of the winners of the National during the past 40-odd years means he could still be improving. Having only had six chase starts prior to landing the big one last spring, he has since shown some of that improvement this season.
Noble Yeats put a lacklustre return in France behind him to win at Naas and then score again back Aintree in December, beating previous Grade One winners Ahoy Senor and Chantry House in the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase this time over the Mildmay fences.
And now the Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old is set to line up in Grade One company with a cracks the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March before returning to Aintree to try and defend his crown. Only five-time Gold Cup hero Golden Miller has won both of National Hunt's flagship events in the same season, back in 1934.
The gelded son of four-time Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats is still owned by the Waley-Cohens and runs in their now famous orange and brown halved colours. But it is Sean Bowen who is now his regular partner with the retirement of Sam Waley-Cohen.
And during a stable visit, arranged by The Jockey Club and Aintree Racecourse, to Mullins' Muine Bheag base in County Carlow next to fellow trainer and uncle Willie Mullins' yard – Noble Yeats worked on the gallops in front of the media and looked very well ahead of his potential dates with destiny. First he is set to warm-up for his two big targets at Lingfield's Winter Millions meeting in the Fleur De Lys Chase a week on Sunday (January 22). The Grand National is on April 15 with the Gold Cup four weeks earlier on March 17.
Noble Yeats is now as low as 8-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair to win back-to-back Grand Nationals, but is a best-priced 14-1 with William Hill. He is a best-priced 9-1 with Betfred for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, behind Willie Mullins' 7-4 favourite Galopin Des Champs.
Emmet Mullins, who has been training since 2015 and also saddled The Shunter to victory at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, said: "Definitely we are heading for the National again. After his performance in the Many Clouds he won't be looked after too well in the weights but I think a horse like him he grows in that scenario and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't fancy our chances of going back again.
"Yes definitely wouldn't rule it out (being a Gold Cup contender). The Gold Cup is a stayers' race. I would compare him to something like Hedgehunter who won the Grand National (in 2005) and was second the year later in the Gold Cup afterwards. He will be there or thereabouts and hopefully if he is good enough on the day he will take his chance.
"The Gold Cup was on the agenda this year from the get-go. We had spoken with the Waley-Cohens and he was going to go for the Gold Cup and try to go back for the Grand National afterwards. Not that he let know he was delighted. All the family was brilliant and delighted at the Many Clouds at Aintree. We are hoping for a repeat success. I hadn't realised (only two horses have won a Gold Cup and Grand National) until I heard it on a programme the other day so obviously it definitely adds to it. I will be blocking that out anyway but luckily for me and the horse it won't Regis with us.
Speaking to his media at his County Carlow base, Mullins insists it still hasn't sunk in that he has joined his uncle Willie – who won the Aintree showpiece with Hedgehunter in 2005 – as a Grand National winner.
On Noble Yeats victory at Aintree in April, the 32-year-old trainer, added: "No it is many months later and it hasn't really hit in. This is a big eye-opener having a big crowd like this at the yard for the first ever time. It definitely hasn't quite sunk in yet and it will be a bit of a while yet.
"We had it planned, targeting the Grand National, a long way out. Everything went to plan. We never lost hope or confidence and it was all fairly straightforward. I never had any worry about his jumping or inexperience. He is very shrewd and economical with his jumping he is not exuberant and is great getting from A to B. He always looked like a horse that a fence and a trip was always going to bring out the best of him.
"I am trying my best trying for it (winning the Grand National) not to change me but you would have to ask my friends and family if it has."
