Mullins happy to go down 'a different route' with Cabaret Queen

T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase | Listed | 2m4f | 4yo+| RTV

Willie Mullins has farmed this race throughout the last decade, winning it six times, and Cabaret Queen, last seen sticking her neck out to land the bravest of wins in the Kerry National at Listowel, is likely to go off a warm order for the champion trainer.

After bagging that €150,000 prize, the temptation must have been there to target another, but Mullins hinted at a less demanding winter campaign for Cabaret Queen in the immediate aftermath at Listowel and is staying true to his word.

Mullins said: "We have decided to go down a different route with Cabaret Queen. Big handicap chases are hard on horses, so we will see how she gets on at this level.”

This may be less demanding than a big staying handicap chase run at a helter-skelter pace, but in last year’s winner Shattered Love and 2019 Grand National runner-up Magic Of Light, Cabaret Queen faces some serious opposition.

Granted, the trip may be a little on the short side for Jessica Harrington’s runner Magic Of Light, who lacks match practice.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington, said: “Magic Of Light summered very well and we're really happy with her. The ground isn't ideal but she needs to start somewhere and hopefully she can put in a nice clear round.”

Gordon Elliott: 'Shattered Love ran well the last day and she should improve from that'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

She added: “The trip is a bit short but it's good to get her out and she'll follow a similar path to last year. I'd imagine she'll be off to Newbury and Ascot again and, you never know, she might have a tilt at the new mares' race at Cheltenham before the Aintree Grand National.”

Shattered Love, who won two Grade 1s as a novice chaser in the 2017-18 season, including the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, returned to action last month at Punchestown, finishing third and 21 lengths behind subsequent Ladbrokes Champion Chase winner The Storyteller.

Gordon Elliott is expecting the nine-year-old to improve from her comeback as she drops back into Listed company for the first time since her win in this race last season, with the mare bidding to preserve her unbeaten record at the track.

He said: “Shattered Love ran well the last day and she should improve from that. She's won twice at Clonmel and hopefully she can run well there again.”

The five-runner field is completed by recent winner Western Victory and Bridge Native, who is in the form of her life.

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