Mulholland eyeing the future after notching his first century

Neil Mulholland is focusing firmly on the future after becoming only the fifth trainer in Britain to post a century of winners this season with the success of Espoir De Teillee at Ffos Las on Sunday.

Mulholland, based at Limpley Stoke, near Bath,said: “To be alongside the likes of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs and Dan Skelton in sending out 100 winners is something to be very proud of and it means an awful lot, especially as I'm not from a racing background.

“Obviously for a trainer of my size getting the first-ever 100 winners is a proper milestone in my career, as I've not been training that long, and the hope is that the yard can continue making stealthy progress each season.

“And that means continuing to make sure the quality of horse at the yard gets better and investing in improving the facilities, so we can welcome new owners into the yard on the back of the success we've had this year.”

Neil Mulholland greets The Young Master and Sam Waley-Cohen after their victory in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in 2016Credit: Edward Whitaker

However, Mulholland is all too aware of the pitfalls, saying: “You're always afraid, after the season we've had, there's a chance we could end up with a lot badly handicapped horses – but that's a problem I'd rather have than not have.”

Mulholland saddled The Young Master in the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday, but the eight-year-old was an early faller. Now the trainer is hopeful his charge may be able to repeat his victory in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown at the end of the month.

He said: “It was an unfortunate fall, but the horse seems fine and none the worse for it, so the chances are he'll be heading to Sandown on the last day of the season to try to win the race for the second year running.”