Plenty more to come from Anzadam insists Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins poses at Fairyhouse Racecourse on November 30, 2025(Image: (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images))Willie Mullins reckons there's plenty more in the tank for Anzadam after his second-place finish in Saturday's dramatic Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.The five year old arrived at Gosforth Park with an unblemished record, facing a stellar field that included former champion Constitution Hill and rising star The New Lion.Although Constitution Hill fell at the second hurdle and The New Lion came to grief two from home, Anzadam couldn't quite capitalise, failing to reel in reigning Champion Hurdle victor Golden Ace. However, with only five career outings to his name, Mullins is convinced there's room for improvement.“He ran well and I’m sure he’ll improve from it,” said the Closutton handler.“We might just have a look at different tactics for him. Overall, I was happy enough.“He travelled well into the race and that’s why I think he will improve. We’d be hoping for a better effort at Christmas.”Mullins was out of luck in the major races at Fairyhouse on Sunday, but there were plenty of positives to take from the performance of Ballyburn in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.Reverting to the small obstacles after a disappointing end to his novice campaign over fences last season, the seven-year-old charged home from the final flight and only narrowly failed to overhaul Teahupoo, who was winning the Grade One prize for a third time.Ballyburn is now favourite with most bookmakers for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, while Mullins was also pleased with how Mystical Power was running in the same race before he was badly hampered and unseated Mark Walsh after the last hurdle.He added: “I was very happy with how the two horses ran, the two horses will improve.“I think we are just building up nicely, and it should leave us right for Christmas.”This weekend the champion trainer is set to unleash two more of his stable stars in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, with Majborough and Energumene set to lock horns.The veteran Energumene has already won the Grade Two prize three times, while Majborough won twice at Grade One level last season and is now set to step out of novice company for the first time.“Both are in great shape and hopefully we’ll get down there,” Mullins added.“We’ll possibly have Dinoblue in the mares’ chase as well. It’s building up to a lovely day.”Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
