Betfair Tingle Creek Chase: Willie Mullins believes Chacun Pour Soi is ‘the natural candidate’

Willie Mullins believes Chacun Pour Soi (Sandown, 2.25) is ‘the natural candidate’ for an enthralling Betfair Tingle Creek Chase as the Irish champion trainer bids to land Saturday’s two-mile feature for a second time.

The legendary Un De Sceaux gave Mullins his first victory in the race five years ago and in Chacun Pour Soi he saddles a candidate which is unbeaten in three starts on right-handed tracks and is rated at least 8lb superior to any of his four rivals.

The Kildare trainer boasts a wealth of riches in the two-mile division with Ryanair Chase winner Allaho and Energumene also considered for a trip to Esher on Saturday afternoon.

Willie Mullins believes Chacun Pour Soi is ‘natural candidate’ for Betfair Tingle Creek Chase

The champion trainer secured his first victory in the race five years ago with Un De Sceaux

The former heads to Punchestown on Sunday for the John Durkan Chase, while Energumene puts his unbeaten chase record on the line in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork as Mullins unleashes his big guns following some much-needed recent rain.

A trip to England gives Chacun Pour Soi the opportunity to lay the ghost of his lacklustre Champion Chase display in March where he failed to fire up the Cheltenham hill and was ultimately well held by Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra who appears the selection’s chief threat on Saturday afternoon.

Chacun Pour Soi put that effort behind him with a commanding defeat of stablemate Allaho at Punchestown, a display the handicappers rated as a career best and, although it is unlikely he will reach that peak on his seasonal bow, Mullins reports the gelding is in good form ahead of his first assignment of the campaign.

Chacun Pour Soi recorded commanding defeat of stablemate and Cheltenham winner Allaho 

‘He is going to have to bring his A-game to the table but that’s what you expect for this sort of prize money and this level of race,’ said Mullins. ‘You expect competition, you can’t expect freebies.

‘I thought he was the natural candidate for this race. I was happy with his work and everything has gone according to plan.’

The nap vote goes the way of My Bobby Dazzler (Aintree, nap, 11.45) who won twice on Merseyside last season and looks likely to improve again for tackling three miles.