Mullins Bumper Jockey Plans

Mullins disclosed his bumper jockey plans on Sunday and is clear favourite to win the race yet again with one of his 5 selections at Cheltenham on Wednesday, with Ruby Walsh aboard Equus Maximus and top Flat jockey Johnny Murtagh having his first Cheltenham ride on Ballytrim.The duo were successful on their debut, as were stablemates Shady Willow, Freds Benefit and Irish Invader - though the last-named is not fancied to make the cut for the race by his trainer as he is number 14 in the list of horses that could be eliminated should more than 24 horses be declared on Tuesday.

Champion Bumper Ante Post Betting

Mullins said on Sunady: "We have sorted riding plans. Ruby will ride Equus Maximus as his win at Leopardstown probably represents the best form of our team.

"The horse that ran second to him, Lord Lumey, is highly regarded and Tex Morgan, who was a long way back in third, came out and won at Navan on Saturday.

"Johnny, who has often ridden for me on the Flat, will be on Ballytrim, David Casey rides Shady Willow and Katie Walsh will be on Freds Benefit. We have also brought over Irish Invader but it looks as if he won't make the cut."

Equus Maximus leapfrogged Ballytrim with William Hill on Sunday, the firm cutting the former to 7-2 favourite (from 9-2), while leaving Ballytrim at 4-1.

Mullins won the Weatherbys-sponsored bumper at last year's Festival with Missed That, having also scored with Joe Cullen in 2000), Alexander Banquet (1998), Florida Pearl (1997) and Wither Or Which (1996), whom he also rode.

In other jockey news, Paul Carberry has been booked to ride outsider Hairy Molly, trained by Joe Crowley while Barry Geraghty will partner Lord Over.

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