Irish runners target Riyadh riches

Tony Mullins is dreaming the fairytale with Princess Zoe can continue in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has been a star for the County Kilkenny trainer since her move from Germany that saw her make her debut for him in June 2020.

Originally seen as a prospective hurdler, her rise has been spectacular. The grey progressed through the ranks from handicapper to Group One winner in a matter of months.

"She's unbelievable for us. We never expected this. Everything happened very quickly. It got condensed because just before her first run we had a lockdown," said Mullins, whose mare was second to Subjectivist in the Gold Cup in June last year.

"Because we only had a half season and because she was so well handicapped, the races kept coming up that were suiting her and she was improving so fast we were jumping in grade. It was a bit of a whirlwind.

"Ideally, we would have loved a prep run. We did have our own private prep run in Leopardstown earlier this month just to be sure. She hasn’t run for four months. We are just hoping everything is right and all the indications are they are.

"Leopardstown went a little better than expected. It fitted in perfect and has me very excited.

"It’s great to be on the world’s biggest stage. I know how much I love her, but I just can’t believe how popular she is with everybody else."

Johnny Murtagh feels he has top-weight Sonnyboyliston fit enough to do himself justice on his first run since winning the Irish St Leger in September.

"He seems to handle the grass very well and we’re very happy with the horse. It’s a big ordeal to come and travel this far in a plane. He has been to England a couple of times on the plane, but I’m happy with the way he’s travelled