A HORSE Willie Mullins has labelled a ‘fantastic’ jumper looks a bargain at 33-1 for Cheltenham – after he easily saw off a big Gold Cup hope.
The Sean Mulryan-owned Embassy Gardens has claimed two Grade 3s but it was his most recent that really caught the eye.
Back with a bang!
— Tramore Racecourse (@TramoreRaces) January 1, 2025
Embassy Gardens puts up a dominant display in the Grade 3 @ODriscollsWhis1 New Year's Day Chase.@WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/lTGexNoyfa
Sent on under Michael O’Sullivan at Tramore on New Year’s Day, he made all to deny the heavily fancied 4-5 Monty’s Star by five lengths.
Rachael Blackmore’s Monty’s Star finished second to Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower on his last two starts and was considered the next big three mile chaser coming through.
But he simply couldn’t live with Embassy Gardens over 2m7f of the tight right-handed Irish track.
The race has been won in the past by former Gold Cup kings Al Boum Photo and Minella Indo, and is clearly a stepping stone to glory.
But it’s a step down in trip for the 2m4f Ryanair at the Festival that could be next up for Embassy Gardens, who finished second in last year’s National Hunt Chase.
Mullins said he ‘loved’ the way Embassy Gardens bounded on in front under a positive ride, never looking back.
And in truth he dominated, with the third-placed Classic Getaway – who, like Monty’s Star, was getting 6lbs from the winner – a full 15 lengths behind.
Speaking on Racing TV, Mullins said: “I loved the way he did it.
“He always runs well fresh and if I can keep him in that sort of form for the rest of the season… he does taper off.
“But we’re half-way through the season and this is his first run, maybe he’ll hold onto his form a bit longer this year.
“I thought he was a Gold Cup horse or Grand National horse… but he didn’t get home in the National Hunt Chase.
“That was 2m5f today on heavy ground… the Ryanair could be the job for him.
“The way he jumps is fantastic, you’d love to be a jockey riding him.”
Embassy Gardens is a best-priced 33-1 for the Grade 1 Ryanair – or you can back non-runner money back at 16s with William Hill.
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