Mullins Chases Unique Sunday Double

Willie Mullins goes for a unique double on Sunday as he’ll aim to win two €100,000 races.

One is on the flat, one is over jumps and they’re at two different tracks with two horses having their first run for him. It’s always hard not to have Mullins on your side but there’s some good betting opportunities on Sunday.

Stick with Gustavus
Total Recall in the Munster National and Gustavus Vassa in the Irish Cesarewitch are the two horses in question and the latter is probably the pick of the two.

A debut winner for Andy Oliver, the three-year-old ran with credit at Gowran Park and Roscommon in two runs since before changing hands and with a light weight and a step up in trip,

there is every chance that Gustavus Vassa is up to much more than his current rating of 86.

While his price is short looking for a competitive race, he could well be a handicap snip.

The form of his most recent outing at Roscommon is nothing to write home about but he did have two quick enough runs after his debut and freshened up now could make a big difference. It must also be remembered that in winning his maiden, Gustavus Vassa beat On The Go Again by a head and that horse is now rated 96 on the flat and won the prestigious Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel so that has a solid look to it now.

Keane to get a big priced winner
Colin Keane has been riding like a man possessed for some time now but with things all square between himself and Pat Smullen and Smullen in America on Sunday, the standard setter this season will be eager to end the day in front of the nine-time champion.

Keane has plenty of chances but it is one at a price that is worth a second look in the five-furlong handicap at 4.10.

Keane rides the John Hayden-trained Accalia who hasn’t got the win this season that her form last season suggested she might but at 14/1 this could be her day.

When winning a Down Royal maiden last season Accalia did so on yielding ground and her best efforts seem to come with that word in the description as she was second at Cork this season and not beaten far in a valuable handicap at the Curragh on good to yielding back in July.

It’s yielding to soft at Navan so it’s a bit on the easier side but…

that could well be the difference that she’s been looking for.

She definitely looks to have a solid each-way chance at worst.

Recommened bets:
Accalia (12/1) – 4.10 Navan
Gustavus Vassa (7/2) – 5.15 Navan

*Prices correct at time of publication.