Mullins unveils Ascot plans as Thomas Hobson prepares for Stradivarius rematch

Willie Mullins has revealed 2017 Ascot Stakes winner Thomas Hobson could return to the Berkshire track for a tilt the Gold Cup, as the trainer looks to add to his tally of wins at the royal meeting.

The leading Irish jumps trainer, who has trained three of the last four winners of the Ascot Stakes, unveiled his plans on Tuesday and will be hoping Thomas Hobson can build on his performance last October when he finished second to Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup.

He said: "We’ll probably run Thomas Hobson in the Gold Cup and, hopefully, he might run in the first four. Max Dynamite might go for the Queen Alexandra Stakes and we'll probably have something for the Ascot Stakes too."

Willie Mullins has trained six winners at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mullins will saddle his first Flat runner at Haydock on Saturday when three-time Listed winner True Self runs in the Group 3 Betway Pinnacle Stakes. The six-year-old, who won two bumpers, was also twice successful over hurdles before being switched to the Flat.

She made a successful start to this season when winning her third Listed race in the Vintage Tipple Stakes at Gowran Park.

True Self will be Willie Mullins' first Flat runner at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: Alain Barr

"True Self is in good form and the plan is to run her in Saturday’s race," said Mullins. "She's done well in Listed company and deserves to step up in grade."

Before her victory in the Vintage Tipple, the daughter of Oscar landed the Beckford Stakes at Bath and the Seymour Stakes at Newmarket.

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