'It's not Irish domination, it's Willie Mullins domination' - Ben Pauling ready to 'battle' to get British racing back on top

Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Ben Pauling has hit back over claims of an iron Irish grip on Grade 1 jump racing and said the real factor was the dominance of Willie Mullins.
Pauling, who saddled one of Britain's nine winners at the meeting last week and came agonisingly close to another, vowed the country's trainers were "going to give it one almighty kick" to compete.
He was speaking in the wake of BHA chief executive Julie Harrington's warning that Ireland's domination of the top races at the festival was becoming increasingly damaging for the sport.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inBritain
Last updated
- 'It's positive at the minute, before it was looking very bleak' - Trevor Whelan facing crucial stage in his recovery from ankle injury
- Grade 1 action returns to Ascot as Long Walk Hurdle headlines a stellar Berkshire fixture
- 'It would be incredible to land the hat-trick' - Crambo bidding to join exclusive club in Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle
- Welsh Grand National 'a real possibility' for Mr Vango after gallant Becher second - with ground set to be 'the deciding factor'
- Bombshell announcements, trainer outcry and scaled-back plans - a timeline of the threat to Kempton Park racecourse
- 'It's positive at the minute, before it was looking very bleak' - Trevor Whelan facing crucial stage in his recovery from ankle injury
- Grade 1 action returns to Ascot as Long Walk Hurdle headlines a stellar Berkshire fixture
- 'It would be incredible to land the hat-trick' - Crambo bidding to join exclusive club in Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle
- Welsh Grand National 'a real possibility' for Mr Vango after gallant Becher second - with ground set to be 'the deciding factor'
- Bombshell announcements, trainer outcry and scaled-back plans - a timeline of the threat to Kempton Park racecourse