Willie Mullins pulls another rabbit out of the hat as Jimmy Du Seuil wins the Coral Cup on first run of the season

They might change the rules to make his life more difficult, but there is rarely an angle Willie Mullins cannot exploit and he did so once again with Jimmy Du Seuil in the Coral Cup.

Conditions for non-novice handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival were amended this year meaning horses would have to have raced a minimum of five times to qualify. This was an increase from four, which had been brought in after State Man’s romp in the 2022 County Hurdle.

No problem for Mullins, who having given Jimmy Du Seuil five runs over hurdles last season left it until this year’s Cheltenham Festival to give the six-year-old his debut in a handicap. The result was the same as it has been so many times before, a dominant Mullins winner.

Several horses had looked to be in with a chance jumping the last, but as the cavalry charged up the hill, Jimmy Du Seuil asserted under Danny Mullins to take victory from Impose Toi, with Ballyadam third.

Favourite Be Aware, trying to provide trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton with a third successive win in the Coral Cup, travelled strongly into the race but weakened in the straight to finish eighth.

What the winning trainer said

Willie Mullins celebrates with owner Edward Ware after Jimmy Du Seuil's Coral Cup winCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins: "He probably had a setback during the season, I can't really remember, and then we said we have to come here. We got him ready at home and Danny gave him a super ride. We felt it was worth taking a chance as this is one of the hardest races to win. You need so much luck and you need a good horse."

What the winning rider/owner said

Danny Mullins: back in the Cheltenham winner's enclosureCredit: Patrick McCann

Danny Mullins, jockey: “Credit goes to Willie Mullins. Coming here with no runs this season, preparing one for a handicap with no run in a handicap, it’s just great to be a part of that team. It was unbelievable. I felt the snow this morning would help his chance. It was quite testing ground here last year and in fairness to him the last furlong was always going to be that difficult furlong, but he hit the line very strong. He’s a good little pony.”

Ed Ware, owner: “I can’t really speak. It’s like a dream. I’m so proud of the horse and I’m so lucky to be involved with these people who look after him, and train him, and buy him.” 

Race in images

Jimmy Du Seuil (red sleeves) takes a flight on the first circuit of the Coral CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jimmy Du Seuil runs on from the final flight to chase down Impose Toi Credit: Edward Whitaker

Jimmy Du Seuil and Danny Mullins are congratulated on their way back to the winner's enclosureCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins pats own Ed Ware on the back after Jimmy Du Seuil lands the Coral CupCredit: Patrick McCann

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