WILLIE MULLINS’ Grand National dark horse looks ‘absolutely chucked in’ for his next race, according to punters.
The JP McManus-owned Meetingofthewaters is a 40-1 chance for the £1million Aintree race in April.
He finished seventh in the contest last year after coming third in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival.
But it his intriguing next assignment that has punters really excited.
Meetingofthewaters has been declared for a Listed handicap hurdle on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
The 148-rated chaser has a mark of just 112 over hurdles – a discipline he last ran in in March 2023.
Rachael Blackmore gets the ride on the 5-2 favourite on Saturday, who on all known form looks a real handicap blot.
Meetingofthewaters’ sole hurdle win in ten attempts came in a handicap at Cork in December 2022.
He finished well beaten behind McManus’ Perceval Legallois on his most recent run last December.
And it is that old adversary who is 9-2 second fav in the monster field of 26.
Mullins has entered ten of his Galacticos in the Grand National.
McManus’ defending champ I Am Maximus heads the squad and the market as 12-1 fav.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘She looks top drawer’ purrs Willie Mullins after Rich Ricci’s ‘special’ new horse bolts up on debut” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366575067112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]While the same billionaire owner has 14-1 second fav Iroko.
Mullins will aim to send Meetingofthewaters to Aintree with his mark in tact – and his owner almost £50,000 better off.