Willie Mullins sends one runner to York for the big race of the day on Friday

It would appear that dominating the National Hunt scene is not enough for Willie Mullins. Fresh from claiming the British Jumps Trainers’ Championship, he’s set raid our shores once again. The Flat is his new target and he sends one runner to York on Friday. Rather notably, the horse in question runs in the day’s main event. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

3.45 York

Whilst Willie Mullins’ strike-rate at York isn’t particularly outstanding, with just three winners from his 28 career runners there, it’s certainly notable that he runs one in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup. One of those winners was subsequent Cheltenham Festival scorer Absurde in the £300,000 Ebor back in August. Mullins is always one to watch when having runners in Britain and this one is no different.

Vauban has proved himself to be an excellent dual-purpose performer but it appears that he’s going to be targeted at key races on the Flat from now on. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, the son of Galiway was a Group 3 winner on the level at Naas in August.

It was a disappointing effort when finishing down the field in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November despite being well fancied but it’s easy to forgive him for that. William Buick takes the ride and there are few jockeys that you’d rather have on board.

He bolted up in a Royal Ascot handicap over 1m6f last summer and returning to a similar trip will suit. It’s likely that he’ll be competitive at this level and it would be unwise to rule out a big run.

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