Carlow based champion trainer Willie Mullins seeking fifth win this weekend

Willie Mullins based in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, is seeking fifth win this weekend in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle this Sunday.

The race was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2015.

Mullins won last year’s renewal with Champ Kiely and received five Grade 1 victories over the festive period recently. 

'We left five horses in the race earlier this week and have declared all five this morning,' confirmed Mullins. 'They are each owned by five different owners and they have all shown ability to be good enough to tackle what I think will be one of the best graded novice races run over the Christmas period in Ireland or England.'

'The five horses have all shown that they have speed and stamina which will be required for a contest of this nature.'

Stable jockey Paul Townend booked to partner the Tony Bloom-owned Ile Atlantique at Sunday's race.

'Paul has picked Ile Atlantique which must have impressed him the most of our five entries but all five horses appear in good form at the moment and have been working well over the Christmas period waiting for this race. How all the horses run in this race is sure to be a great pointer to the season ahead.'

'Ile Atlantique was a nineteen-length winner on his hurdle debut at Gowran Park in November and Sunday’s race will see him once again lock horns with the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox after the pair pulled 25-lengths clear of the field in a Fairyhouse bumper last Easter.'

'Patrick Mullins will ride the Rich Ricci-owned Chapeau De Soleil, while Lecky Watson will be the mount of Danny Mullins for the Slaneyville Syndicate. Mark Walsh renews his association with the JP McManus, John Magnier and Rich Ricci-owned Mystical Power, while Daryl Jacob travels over to ride Readin Tommy Wrong for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.'

The first race commences at 12.30pm on Sunday with live music and entertainment throughout the day.

The Best Dressed Competition on Sunday is open to both ladies and gents and the judges are looking for 'Best Dressed' on the day.