Grand Steeple-Chase: Mullins v Carberry in the battle for Paris

Zeturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Grade 1) | 3m6f, 5yo+ | SKY

In a year where he has already knocked the Magners Gold Cup and the Boylesports Irish Grand National off his ever-dwindling wishlist, Willie Mullins is five-strong in his quest for a first success in France's biggest chasing prize. And it is the hero of Fairyhouse, Burrows Saint, who returns to a track he last tackled as a three-year-old, who leads the charge for Mullins and new stable number-one Paul Townend, with Irish National third Acapella Bourgeois among others making the trip.

Burrows Saint and Paul Townend will spearhead a five-strong attack on the Grand Steeple-Chase de ParisCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Across the board Mullins has opted for horses with proven stamina, with Rathvinden and Pleasant Company having been placed in the Randox Health Grand National, while Total Recall is a former Ladbrokes Trophy winner.

Mullins said of his candidates: "Burrows Saint's win in the Irish National was a very good effort. He came out of the race well and the trip and the ground will suit. He's an improving horse and there is every reason to be positive about his chance.

Bobbyjo Chase: is the feature race at FairyhouseCredit: Caroline Norris

"Rathvinden's run in the Aintree National should put him in with a good chance. The trip and the ground won't be a problem and he's a good, solid jumper. Pleasant Company is a good jumper who stays and will handle the ground. I think he has the scope to handle the French fences.

"Acapella Bourgeois has returned to form in recent months and ran very well when third in the Irish National. This will be new type of test for him, but we thought it worth letting him take his chance.

"Total Recall was too keen in the Irish National and a lot will depend on whether he settles this time. If he does he should handle the trip and the ground."

Carberry banking on the good Docteur

The Mullins and Carberry families have been mainstays of the Irish jumping scene for decades and in Docteur De Ballon, that rivalry is renewed here.

Trained by Louisa Carberry, who can count on Champion Hurdle and 'Grand Steep' winning jockey Philip as both assistant and husband, Docteur De Ballon passed the whole field in the straight to secure victory in one of the key trials, the Prix Ingre.

"He's absolutely flying and is fresh and has come out of his race well," said Carberry, who admits she is worried about racing room in a rare maximum field of 20.

"We're lucky we can switch him off and hopefully he can find a bit of space because my major concern is having so many runners and horses that don't know Auteuil. But I trust Felix [De Giles] and the horse to find their own pace.

"It's definitely a massive help that he's not keen and hopefully he can cope with the hurly-burly. I think everybody wants to see the best horse win and I hope there are no hard-luck stories."

One for the record books?

James Reveley seeks an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the race.

His partner will be Le Costaud, who along with Storm Of Saintly and So French could establish Guillaume Macaire as the most successful trainer in 'Grand Steep' history with a seventh win.

A pair of French aces

Champion trainer Francois Nicolle saddles four in his quest for a first triumph and, while all are respected, his dual Grade 1 winner Bipolaire undoubtedly sets the standard having uncharacteristically got no further than the first in this race 12 months ago.

"Bipolaire is a very courageous horse and is a brilliant jumper," said Nicolle.

"He started from nothing and was not a great physical specimen to begin with. But he becomes something greater when he goes racing. He's like a jockey that is not the most talented, but gets to the top echelon through hard work."

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