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Willie Mullins has mooted that Gaelic Warrior could be on course to step back up to three miles for the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
An impressive winner of the My Pension Expert Arkle Trophy Novices' Chase on his first outing over two miles last season, the enigmatic Gaelic Warrior, who was hailed as an 'extraordinary horse' by his trainer, has the option of stepping back up in trip for a crack at King George VI Chase according to Mullins.
"Last year we were trying to make Gaelic Warrior into a three-miler," said Mullins, who was speaking at a stable visit organised by The Jockey Club. "I had no problem with him going three miles, but he ended up winning the Arkle Novices' Chase on his first attempt over fences at two miles.
"He looks a natural to it, but he could kick up to be a King George VI Chase horse as well. He had that sort of ability, but we will have a chat with Rich (Ricci, owner) first and see what direction he wants to go. He could do any trip - he is an extraordinary horse."
Gaelic Warrior, who is a general 10/1 shot for the Christmas feature at Kempton, could be joined by Fact To File (5/1) and Asterion Forlonge on Boxing Day.
The former created a deep impression when winning the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year and only finds Fastorslow ahead of him in the ante-post Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup market.
Mullins added: "We have a lot of horses which could go to the King George. Galopin Des Champs will probably be at Leopardstown, where he won last year, but Fact To File could and also Asterion Forlonge, who ran a great race in it a few years ago."
In the two-mile division, dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene, who missed last season through injury, and El Fabiolo are both possible contenders for the Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday 7th December.
"Energumene could go for the Tingle Creek Chase, but it is more than likely he will go to Cork for the Hilly Way Chase after missing last season," explained the Closutton-based handler. "El Fabiolo could also go to Sandown. He is making nice progress coming back to himself this year. We will see how they are progressing as the Autumn kicks on.''
The latter was sent off a short-priced 2/9 favourite for last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase but was pulled up after a bad jumping mistake at the fifth fence. He was subsequently beaten at odds-on on his final start of the season when finding the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon four lengths too good in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown in April.
Mullins said: "He is a horse who normally jumps very well. He will have another crack at it (Queen Mother Champion Chase). He is young, he is only seven and he has another couple of years to be at his best."
As he bids to defend his title, Mullins looks likely to have more runners at Cheltenham's three meetings in the remainder of 2024 – The Showcase (October 25th and 26th), The November Meeting (November 15th, 16th and 17th) and The Christmas Meeting (December 13th and 14th).
He said: "I think we will probably have a few more entries than we usually have at the earlier Cheltenham meetings.
"You have had a lot of rain in England compared to what we have had over here so the ground will not be an issue as it can be in other years for us.
''I can see us being more proactive going to Cheltenham.''
