Willie Mullins has set his sights on the Melbourne Cup after the sale of Vauban, who won at Rosehill last Saturday. The renowned Irish trainer has identified longshot JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros as a potential contender for the prestigious race.

Poniros, a four-year-old son of Golden Horn, made a stunning debut for Mullins by winning the 3419m event at Cheltenham at odds of 100/1. Previously trained by Ralph Beckett, Poniros had eight starts under his original trainer, with a maiden victory in October 2023. Mullins has expressed Melbourne Cup ambitions for the gelding following his victory.

“We bought him in October, schooled him and gave him a break… I’m hoping in time he might turn into a Melbourne Cup horse,” Mullins said.

Mullins has had runners in the Melbourne Cup the past two years, with Vauban and Absurde, and is keen to find another contender for the future. Vauban was sold to Australian interests and is now trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, who prepared him for a win in the Group III Sky High Stakes (2000m).