‘Bring it on' – Barry Connell sends bullish warning to Willie Mullins ahead of stars racing at Punchestown Festival
Connell's Marine Nationale (6.00)
2
Willie Mullins just won the UK trainer's title for the second successive year
Credit: PA
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Yet Connell is in confident mood ahead of day one of the Kildare meet
Credit: X @itvracing
The bookies have Willie Mullins' star the 5-4 favourite for the €300,000 Grade 1 contest, but the Kildare-based trainer and former stockbroker reckons the bookies have got the market wrong.
Connell said: 'He's actually improved from Cheltenham, both physically and mentally.
'I couldn't be any happier. All I can say is that we're ready for it.
'We're the champion chaser and if Fact To File and Willie want to take us on, bring it on.
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"I'd imagine it will be one of the races of the week.'
Mullins has a brilliant record in the Grade 1 feature winning six out of the last seven renewals, but Connell is not worried and thinks Marine Nationale has improved from his Cheltenham victory.
He added: 'We've been playing catch-up all year with Marine Nationale.
'He missed most of his novice season so that's why you're seeing such a rate of improvement from race to race this season and that's why I think he can improve again from Cheltenham to Punchestown.
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'He basically had no race at Cheltenham. He dawdled around and then took off from the back of the last.
'He didn't even take a blow after it.
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"Mentally and physically he has been in super shape since the Champion Chase. I couldn't be any happier.'
Today, April 29, is day one of the annual five-day meet at the Kildare track.
Tuesday's race card is as follows:
14:30:
Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase
15:05:
Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final
15:40:
Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
16:15:
KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:50:
Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)
17:25:
Goffs Defender Bumper
18:00:
William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)
18:35:
Willie Coonan Memorial Flat Race
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