Eamonn Hames

Nov 23, 2024 | thesun.ie | Eamonn Hames

THE shadow of Willie Mullins looms large over the jumps. And the phoney war is over this weekend as the dual champion trainer finally kicks into gear. Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott have been knocking in the winners but playtime is over — the headmaster is back. Mullins has run a few third-stringers — but it’s the A-listers in Ireland today and tomorrow. First up at Punchestown will be the brilliant Ballyburn (12.30) who makes his long awaited chasing debut.

May 1, 2024 | thesun.ie | Eamonn Hames

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS will bid for a stunning THIRD Gold Cup win of the season today at Punchestown. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old will face eight rivals in today’s €300,000 feature as he attempts to match Sizing John’s famous treble in 2017. Jessica Harrington’s staying star is the only horse to have won the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Punchestown Gold Cup in the same season.

Apr 30, 2024 | thesun.ie | Eamonn Hames

HENRY DE BROMHEAD says his Guinness won’t fall flat in the €300,000 William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. The ace trainer’s Captain Guinness ran out a surprise winner of the equivalent race at the Cheltenham Festival last month. There he took advantage of El Fabiolo’s early departure and the scratching of Jonbon to win the big ’un under a super ride from Rachael Blackmore. And Knockeen-based De Bromhead doesn’t believe that monster effort has left a mark.

Aug 2, 2023 | thesun.ie | Eamonn Hames

Top PicksPublished: 8:47, 2 Aug 2023Updated: 8:47, 2 Aug 2023KILCRUIT can strut clear in the Tote Galway Plate for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The progressive eight-year-old has only run four times over fences and Mullins feels he has more to offer despite a lofty rating of 160. He looked in scintillating form when hacking up by 15 lengths in a Novices’ Handicap Chase at Punchestown in April and a 12lb rise is unlikely to stop him.

Aug 1, 2023 | thesun.ie | Eamonn Hames

ALANYA (6.40) can make light work of her Mile rivals in the feature contest at Galway tonight. The French import was snapped up for €20,000 by shrewd trainer Thomas Gibney and she made an immediate impact when bolting up in the Ladies Derby at The Curragh last month. She produced an impressive gear change to win with stacks in hand, and an 8lb rise in the weights is unlikely to stop her. Top track rider Gavin Ryan is on board and they can go close from a handy draw in stall two.