WILLIE MULLINS has acquired an ‘exciting’ serial winner who is already priced at 20-1 for Cheltenham, despite never having jumped a hurdle in public.
However, that didn’t stop last March.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has a history of success at Cheltenham, and his latest notable acquisition, now in training with Willie Mullins, is being compared to a Festival legend.
The Reverend is drawing parallels with Bloom’s two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, Penhill.
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The Reverend triumphs under @TomMarquand , overtaking stablemate Dramatic Star in the @BetfairExchange Old Borough Cup.
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The billionaire owner seems to have another promising contender in The Reverend.
A four-time winner rated 102 on the Flat for William Haggas, The Reverend is now based at Closutton.
He won his last two races for Haggas, with his final appearance for the renowned Flat trainer being a neck victory in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock over 1m6f last month.
The Reverend has earned over £150,000 in just nine races on the Flat, but a novice hurdle campaign is on the horizon.
While he is currently priced at 20-1 for the two-mile Supreme, a transition to longer distances might be considered.
Especially since connections have noted similarities between him and Bloom’s former Albert Bartlett and Stayers’ Hurdle winner, Penhill.
Sean Graham, Bloom’s racing manager, stated: “He’s already done some loose schooling, and when I spoke to (assistant trainer) David Casey, he mentioned that he schooled well and should handle hurdles just fine.
“Interestingly, the Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap he won earlier in the season was the same race that Penhill won as a three-year-old.
“Additionally, Penhill also won at Haydock in a similar event to the Old Borough Cup as a four-year-old, so there are a few notable similarities between the two horses.
“I believe The Reverend is rated 2lb higher on the Flat than Penhill ever was, and he went on to win at two Cheltenham Festivals.
“But we shouldn't get too ahead of ourselves before we have even seen The Reverend in his maiden hurdle.”
Meanwhile, record-breaking Cheltenham winner Poniros will be aimed at the Champion Hurdle as his ultimate target.
However, if that doesn't pan out, a switch back to the Flat during the summer will also be considered.
Graham added: “It’s a significant leap from being a Triumph Hurdle horse to a Champion Hurdle contender, and we hope he can become that caliber of horse.
“Yet he remains very well handicapped on the Flat and performs well over a mile and a half, so there are options available next summer as well.
“He has numerous possibilities both over jumps and in the upcoming Flat season.”
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