Minella Cocooner connections hoping history can repeat itself as their star helps fly the flag for Willie Mullins at Sandown

Connections of Minella Cocooner are excited to be part of another potentially historic day at Sandown on Saturday as their nine-year-old bids to become an integral part of Willie Mullins' British trainers' title challenge by landing successive bet365 Gold Cups under Danny Mullins.

El Fabiolo's second in the Celebration Chase on the Sandown card last year was enough for Mullins to become the first Irish-based trainer to win the British title since Vincent O'Brien in 1954. Minella Cocooner then put the icing on the cake when landing the £175,000 feature under a well-timed ride from Mullins.

Owned by the Bobbett family, Minella Cocooner runs off a 4lb higher mark this year and Shane Bobbett said: "It was brilliant to be a part of last year. Willie is an incredible man and trainer, and to be part of that historic day was unbelievable.