Patrick Mullins expects 'huge improvement' from Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown

Patrick Mullins is expecting "huge improvement" from Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase hope Chacun Pour Soi as the exciting chaser bids to avenge his Christmas defeat by A Plus Tard at next week's Dublin Racing Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old, who marked himself out as a highly exciting prospect when readily accounting for Defi Du Seuil in last year's Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown, tops the market as a best-priced 11-8 chance for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Speaking at a media event leading up to the festival, which is worth €2.1 million in prize-money, the leading amateur rider said: "I was disappointed he got beat but I wouldn't say his bubble is burst just yet.

"He'd have to go and win at Leopardstown if he's going to live up to his reputation but I think we'll see huge improvement from Christmas.

"He jumped to the front three out and I thought he just blew up. A lot of our horses needed their first run, more so than in other years."

Chacun Pour Soi: exciting times aheadCredit: Patrick McCann

He added: "Maybe it's thinking more of Cheltenham, but I've noticed we've been easier on them [at home] than in other years. We got a bit of work done on our gallop at one stage and then we sensed a few of them weren't firing.

"Usually we wouldn't have run horses bar when we thought they were really ready to win, whereas this year Willie has been getting them out quicker. It might mean they're fresher come the end of the year."

Chacun Pour Soi could meet stablemates Min, Cilaos Emery and Duc Des Genievres in the top-level contest, while Mullins is relishing a PCI Irish Champion Hurdle clash with unbeaten star mare Honeysuckle, as he hopes to maintain his partnership with classy two-miler Sharjah.

Patrick Mullins celebrates winning the Matheson Hurdle for the second year running aboard Sharjah alongside his parents Jackie and Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Matheson Hurdle hero could provide the rider, who earlier this season passed the 600-winner mark, with bragging rights over housemate Rachael Blackmore, regular rider of the general 7-4 favourite.

Mullins said of Sharjah, who is a best-priced 5-2: "I love riding him, he's such an easy horse to ride – you could ride him with your baby toe and baby finger. He does everything very easily.

"I was slagging Rachael [Blackmore] that I hope she gets on Honeysuckle in this race because it'd be great to have a lead for a bit longer than Petit Mouchoir led us last time! We have a bit of rivalry over that. Hopefully I'll get to ride him again."

The 30-year-old rider enjoyed a day to remember at Limerick over the festive period when partnering Faugheen to a hugely popular success over Samcro, and the former Champion Hurdle winner looks set to bid for more Grade 1 glory in the Flogas Novice Chase.

Mullins said: "To be honest, I didn't think he'd beat Samcro but he jumped great. The race took place from the third last to the home bend, even though neither myself nor Jack [Kennedy] was moving. By the time we turned in it was a case of who would get slower slowest, rather than who would quicken up. He winged the last two."

He added: "On his day he was one of the best horses we've had here. Since he had that 18-month break I'm not sure we've seen him at his best, even though he's won three Grade 1s. The horse he was before, very few could touch him.

"His Limerick performance was right up there but his consistency is gone a bit, he had the fall and pulled up once or twice.

"The Flogas is the preferred option for him and I'd imagine Paul [Townend] will probably want to get his leg back over him. If he decides he wants to ride one of the others I'll be putting my hand up, but Paul is obviously our number one."

Kemboy will bid to extend the stable's superb record in the Irish Gold CupCredit: Alain Barr

The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup has been kind to the Closutton team, who have landed the chasing highlight on ten occasions, and Kemboy looks set to fly the flag this time, having finished fourth on his seasonal bow in the Savills Chase.

"He ran well at Christmas," said Mullins. "It was a funny race, he and Monalee seemed to get a freebie but our horse blew up. I'd expect him to improve considerably from that run."

Delta Work and Kemboy share favouritism at 15-8 with the sponsor for the three-mile test, ahead of Road To Respect (9-2) and Presenting Percy (5-1).

Asked what would make the 2020 Dublin Racing Festival a success for his father's team, Mullins said: "Kemboy and Chacun Pour Soi are two very important ones, they're leading hopes for the Champion Chase and Gold Cup, but I'd love to see Faugheen win the Flogas – that would be the biggest result."

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