Cesare Double For Mullins

Willie Mullins snared the lion’s share of Newmarket’s £500,000 prize for the English Cesarewitch yesterday and fields another strong team in the Irish equivalent at Navan this afternoon.

Mullins field seven of the field yesterday in the Cesarewitch and has the same number in the Irish showpiece yet the champion National Hunt trainer have to wait until there’s a non runner if he is to be represented in the Munster National.

Ces’ Double For Mullins
The ability of Willie Mullins to prepare his stayers for these premier flat handicaps is incredible really and while it was something of a surprise that Chelkar didn’t make the boat for Newmarket, the booking of champion jockey Colin Keane is a big plus here.

Chelkar comes here on the back of a terrible run at Galway but a line can be put through that and a repeat of his debut for Mullins at Royal Ascot would give him every chance despite having plenty of weight.

Chelkar never got a run in the big amateur handicap at Galway when he was well fancied in the betting but was found to be coughing and to have lost a shoe afterwards so he can certainly be forgiven for that. The horse was purchased for an end of season campaign at Melbourne’s Spring Carnival and while he won’t be there this year, he can stake an early claim for next year by beating off this competitive field.

Exchange Rate and Nessun Dorma are stable companions that will give him a bit to think about while Cliffs Of Doneen is still very unexposed for Aidan O’Brien but…

the faith is kept with Chelkar here.

Kennedy Back On A Winner
Ruby Walsh’s return will be one of the major talking points from today but Jack Kennedy is also back after having a shorter spell on the sidelines through injury. Kennedy could be on the right horse in the National too with Rogue Angel given the nod.

Limerick’s JT McNamara Munster National looks a cracking renewal with many little elements to note.

Alpha Des Obeaux was a clear second behind Total Recall in the race last year and makes his first start for Gordon Elliott here. Raz De Maree is back at the age of 13 to try win a race he claimed in 2012 for the late, great, Dessie Hughes.

Gordon Elliott runs five and one of those is Denis O’Regan’s mount Our Father who returns from 1382 days off the track with just 10st on his back, while Willie Mullins will only be represented by bottom weight Steel Wave if there is a non runner with the Mullins runner having to run 6lbs wrong at the weights if he does get in.

Rogue Angel is the selection though.

The former Irish Grand National winner ran a creditable race when fancied in the Kerry National at Listowel and is still rated lower than he was when winning the Irish Grand National.

That was a few seasons ago now and he’s not getting any younger, but Rogue Angel might just be suited by the Limerick track better than Listowel and he is the one of Elliott’s that is sided to come out on top.

Recommended Bets:
Chelkar (10/1) – 4.25 Navan
Rogue Angel (6/1) – 4.45 Limerick

*Prices correct at time of publication.