'He'll hopefully go there all guns blazing' - Emmet Mullins eyes up Betfair Hurdle

Emmet Mullins has his sights set on the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury with progressive hurdler Filey Bay, who is currently a general 11-4 favourite to land the £155,000 contest on February 11.

The Grand National-winning trainer is no stranger to landing big pots in Britain and is currently 10-32 in the last three seasons when bringing runners across the Irish Sea.

Previously trained by Declan Wall, Filey Bay is two from two since joining Mullins after winning two handicaps in quick succession at Doncaster and Wincanton only five days apart in November. 

JP McManus has since purchased the son of Fame And Glory and he is set to line up in the 2m½f contest, a race McManus has won twice before with Get Me Out Of Here (2010) and My Tent Or Yours (2013).

Mullins said: "At the moment the Betfair Hurdle is the plan with him. He’s in good form, he had a tough week of it when he got two wins in five days but he’s in good order now and he will hopefully go there all guns blazing."

The seven-year-old won at Wincanton under a penalty but it was difficult to gauge how impressive he was due to the heavy fog. However, the form is working out particularly well in the interim with the third and fourth subsequently winning handicaps. 

Mullins is hopeful Filey Bay can continue to improve and defy a mark of 133 in one of Britain's most competitive handicaps.

He said: "Between the fog, the only people who know what happened that day in Wincanton are the jockeys. I wasn’t there on the day and Patrick [Mullins] was unlucky as he got grounded with the flights. Richie [McLernon] was very complimentary about him after the race and he should still be progressive. 

"I’d say he is pretty versatile ground-wise but he probably would slightly appreciate better ground. He is progressing all the time and hopefully, even as the spring goes on, we should see an improved horse."

Ireland could send a formidable team over to Newbury with Filey Bay joining Icare Allen, who is trained by Emmet's uncle, Willie Mullins. The five-year-old is towards the head of the market and priced between 8-1 and 10-1. 

Lorna Fowler's Colonel Mustard, who was third in last year's County Hurdle, and last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Anna Bunina are also in contention to travel over.

Betfair Hurdle (February 11, Newbury)

Betfair: 11-4 Filey Bay, 5 Gin Coco, 7 No Ordinary Joe, 8 Monviel, 9 Icare Allen, 10 Pikar, 12 Hardy Du Seuil, 14 bar

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