English/Ire
Fun Fun Fun set for Exeter mission
Willie Mullins’ mare will provide Paul Townend with a first taste of Exeter racecourse.
Willie Mullins will look to scoop further English honours when Fun Fun Fun returns to Exeter on Friday for the Listed Safer Gambling At Copybet Mares' Chase.
Fun Fun Fun, who carries the well-renowned 'double green' of leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, will be hoping to double her tally at the track having landed a Listed prize over hurdles there in 2024.
Since then, she's gone on to score three times over fences, supplementing her success in the Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick last year with a smooth win in the Listed Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase at Perth.
Despite finishing a well-held fourth in the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase at Doncaster in December, Willie Mullins' charge looks like being a short price to get back to winning ways as only the inferior rated duo of Blue Las and Della Casa Lunga stand in her way.
"Fun Fun Fun has won there over hurdles and has got beaten there over fences. I had a nice win on her up at Perth last year," said her confirmed rider, Paul Townend.
"On ratings, it looks a good opportunity for her and definitely one I couldn't pass up."
On he prospect of riding around Exeter for the first time and what he has done to prepare, Townend added: "It will be a new experience for me. I've seen plenty of racing from Exeter, but I've never been there, so it's nice to go there and try something else. Hopefully, we are going there with a big chance. It's always nice to go anywhere with a big chance and I am looking forward to it.
"I was chatting to Johnny Burke last night about the place and I gave Ruby (Walsh) a ring, as he has been around there more than anyone else I know. Ruby is the go-to man and had plenty of pointers for me.
"I'll get there nice and early and have a walk around the course. We were watching Exeter closely earlier in the year when Lulamba won there and I've seen videos of Kauto Star racing there, so it is a place I am familiar with and it looks a good place to ride."

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