Willie Mullins Entries – Closutton Trainer Could Have Second Ever Wetherby Runner in Towton

Willie Mullins entries have only ever included a runner at Wetherby once before in his illustrious career, but the master Irish trainer could send Meetingofthewaters over for the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase this Saturday (13 January). This exciting horse may add extra spice to proceedings.

There’s both a new date and distance for the midwinter fixture at Wetherby races after it moved from early February. Like the other previous Mullins mount in West Yorkshire, Meetingofthewaters represents shrewd owner Paul Byrne. While their gamble with Alvaniy didn’t work out in November, things could end up different here.

Meetingofthewaters, a seven-year-old Court Cave gelding purchased privately by Byrne from the trainer’s son Patrick Mullins, burst onto the scene over the festive period. Despite only winning a beginners chase at Cork on 26 November, he followed-up in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on his handicap debut over fences.

That race, now given Listed grading, is something of a recognised Grand National trial in Ireland. Meetingofthewaters keeps his novice status for the rest of the campaign. He may have an entry at Punchestown later in the week for Sunday’s Grade 3 Killiney Novice Chase. Like the Towton nowadays, that race is run over an extended 2m 3f.

Byrne’s willingness to come across the Irish Sea with other horses means a tilt at the £40,000 contest can’t be ruled out. The reaction of the leading horse racing betting sites to Willie Mullins entries has been different. Some believe Meetingofthewaters is just being given the option, but will remain at home until the spring.

RELATED: Willie Mullins Net Worth – How Much is the Closutton Trainer Worth

Plenty of Double Entries Could Still Effect New-Look Towton

He ranges dramatically in price from 10/1 down to 11/2, depending on who you wager with as a result. There is no way that Meetingofthewaters will have such big odds as he does in the ante post betting if lining up on Saturday. Of the 10 entered, he’s not the only one with other options either.

Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell has indicated that her talented mare Apple Away goes to Warwick races for the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase on the same day. Connections have also put her in at Wetherby in case her primary target is off. Kim Trelawne has both options as well after his Carlisle win and Cheltenham third.

Behind that one the last day was Crebilly representing Jonjo O’Neill and JP McManus. He could contest the Edward Courage Cup, now a novices’ limited handicap chase, down in trip instead. Towton outsider Hurricane Highway also has Wincanton on Friday as an alternative option for Welsh trainer Evan Williams and The Ruckers.

Any time there are Willie Mullins entries in the UK outside the major tracks of Aintree, Ascot and Cheltenham, punters obviously perk up. Meetingofthewaters could also take on Sandown races Henry VIII Novices’ Chase runner-up Colonel Harry, who is the only horse in the Towton with a higher rating.

Completing the potential runners are Olly Murphy’s Chasing Fire, Doncaster winner Prairie Wolf (Sue Smith), fellow Irish raider The Flier Begley and Dan Skelton inmate The King Of Ryhope. Previously run over 3m, the Towton remembers the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. It took place in 1461 during The Wars of the Roses.

Towton Novices’ Chase 2024 Betting Odds

1.

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RELATED: Any Second Now – Grand National Placed Horse Given Classic Chase Entry at Warwick

WATCH: Meetingofthewaters Stun from Willie Mullins Entries in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS 🐎 wins The Paddy Power Chase under Danny Mullins 🏇🏻for Willie Mullins at Leopardstown🏆🇮🇪@LeopardstownRC #leopardstown #meetingofthewaters @dan2231 @WillieMullinsNH #thoroughbred #horseracing pic.twitter.com/TXEqkmwe8k

— HBA Media (@_HBAMedia) December 27, 2023