Djakadam set for French trip

Trainer Willie Mullins has revealed Djakadam is being considered for the meeting at Auteuil next month.

Djakadam recently finished second in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup for the fourth successive year, this time ending up behind stablemate Bellshill, and attention is already looking towards the next race.

The nine-year-old, who has also filled the runner-up spot in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on two occasions, for whatever reason has not been able to produce that little bit extra and connections are mulling over a longer trip.

Mullins, who admits he is lost as to why Djakadam didn’t hit his peak this season, has revealed his charge could potentially race in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris next month.

“That was probably his best run this year. I don’t know why he didn’t hit form (this season). I probably blame myself for running him back too quick at Christmas after he was second in the John Durkan,” he said.

“We’re half-thinking of going to the Grand Steeple Chase in Paris. An extra five furlongs. That’s a race we’d like to be represented in with good horses. Myself and the owner have discussed that plan and we might go down that way.”