Mullins takes a watching brief as Fun Fun Fun heads to Exeter
Fun Fun Fun will run at Exeter on Sunday Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Leading amateur rider and breeder Patrick Mullins believes Fun Fun Fun can enhance her position as one of his favourites by solving the mystery in the newly created Agatha Christie Mares’ Novices’ Chase on Super Sunday (February 9th) at Exeter.
The seven-year-old mare will bid to give trainer Willie Mullins his second winner at the track in the newly created £40,000 Listed contest, which is named in honour of the famous author, who was dubbed “The Queen Of Crime”.
It will be the second time that Fun Fun Fun has appeared at the Devon course having given Mullins a breakthrough winner at the track 12 months ago when landing the Listed novices’ hurdle on the same card.
The daughter of Martaline made the perfect start over fences last month under Grade 1 winning rider Mullins when seeing off seven rivals in a two and a half mile mares' beginners chase at Naas.
And although Mullins will be replaced in the saddle by JJ Slevin, he will be watching the extended two miles and one furlong race with interest back home in Ireland having bred the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned mare.
Mullins said: “She jumped brilliantly on her chasing debut at Naas. She is not very big, but she was good at her fences and I think she will be a better chaser than she was a hurdler.
“She is very tough, but she is her own worst enemy as she wants to do too much, too early in a lot of her races. I think fences will bring out the best in her as they settle her better.
“She won around Exeter at this meeting last year and it was either this or the Opera Hat at Naas against the likes of Dinoblue and Allegorie De Vassy so it made sense coming here.
“Her pedigree is all stamina, but she was too keen over hurdles. However, I think over fences the more racing she does, the better she will settle. Over fences, I can't see the drop back in trip being any problem.
“We bought her dam in foal as someone else chose the covering so we can’t take all the credit, but we are very lucky to have her as the first one.
“She is one of my favourites and she has a couple of relatives coming along behind her, but I’m getting great support out of following her.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be there as I will be riding at Navan so I’ll be watching on the television, but we are expecting a big run.”
