Two Willie Mullins-trained horses are now among the favourites for races at the Cheltenham Festival after impressive wins over the weekend.
It’s For Me shot to the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper with an impressive victory at Navan on Saturday before Embassy Gardens bolted up by 35 lengths at Thurles on Sunday.
Making his debut for trainer Mullins, It’s For Me was sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Racing Again February 12th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race after winning his only point-to-point start last year.
READ MORE: Paul Townend incredibly stays on horse after error and goes on to win race at Thurles
Ridden by the handler’s son Patrick, the five-year-old travelled supremely well throughout and was cantering in behind before taking control around two furlongs out.
Mullins only had to push him out to come home 10 lengths clear of Suttons Hill and Paddy Power installed him as the 5-1 favourite for the Cheltenham bumper, before further cutting him to 4s.
Patrick Mullins said: “He’s much better on the track than he is at home, at home he doesn’t flash.
“Looking at the price he went off in his point-to-point, it was obviously a similar story there. He’s much better on grass.
“That was very impressive. He was a bit keen all the way but he quickened up very well.
“That was as good as anything that has been seen this year.
“When you don’t have one of Gordon Elliott’s in there to maybe have a measure, it’s a bit easier.
“The bumper horses seem to be hitting top gear now, they were a bit hit and miss before Christmas.”
When asked if the Champion Bumper was tomorrow, would he ride him, Mullins added: “I don’t know what I’m going to ride there.”
On Sunday, Embassy Gardens started as the 5-6 favourite under Paul Townend after some promising maiden efforts that led to the step up to two miles and seven furlongs, for a race won by Monkfish on his way to Cheltenham two years ago.
There may have been some room for improvement in the fluency of his jumping but with two flights remaining he streaked away from his rivals and strolled across the line a massive 35 lengths ahead.
The Albert Bartlett is now the next destination, for which he was slashed to 7-1 from 20-1 by Paddy Power. The Henry de Bromhead-trained Hiddenvalley Lake remains the favourite for the St Patrick's Day contest.
“That was a bit more straightforward and he appreciates that step out to three miles,” the trainer said.
“He galloped them into the ground. I imagine the way he gallops through the line, he’ll take up his date in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. He doesn’t need a run before Cheltenham.
“Hopefully he stays sound and wins a nice novice race this year and he looks a real chasing type.”
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