Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins could have another star on his hands after He’s On Fire recorded an easy victory in the Come Racing at Carlisle in 2026 Maiden Hurdle on Monday. The horse was rated as a 2/9 shot on BettingTop10 top betting sites and didn’t give his supporters any concerns as he travelled strongly throughout the contest.

He's On Fire stormed clear to win by 20 lengths and will now be aimed at one of the major spring meetings. Jockey Patrick Mullins was impressed by the performance. “He’s a fine horse, a real chasing type and I can’t wait to see him next year,” Mullins told Racing TV.

“He came over to us late in the season and you can see why he was probably backward in his first two run, then he ran really well in his third run in France and we bought him. He needed a bit of time to acclimatise and we wanted to get a nice confidence booster into him.

“I know he’s lost his novice status now but I think we want to go chasing with him next year so that was ideal today. We had him entered up everywhere over here and were wanting to find a race that on his rating he’d win and that’s what he’s done.”

“He can’t go to a Cheltenham handicap, it’s five runs there now, so we might look to Aintree and Punchestown. But really want to go chasing with him - get a few runs into him this year. I’m excited about him as a chaser next year.”

The victory aboard He’s On Fire was Mullins fourth win in eight rides over the past few weeks, highlighting his status as a jockey worth following whenever he is an action.

However, while his Carlisle mount looks destined to move onto bigger and better things, Mullins will no longer be able to ride a horse he built a deep affinity with.

Three-time Grade 1 scorer Appreciate It has been retired after sustaining an injury when winning the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on January 18.

Appreciate It was a wide margin winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, but a setback after that race resulted in him missing a year.

The 12-year-old had been touted as potential contender for the Grand National at Aintree this year, but Mullins has confirmed that his racing career is now over.

“He picked up an injury in his last run - he was a great servant, and he’ll have a long and happy retirement, hopefully,” Mullins said.

“His Supreme win was phenomenal - how far he won by was extraordinary. I had a good day out with him at the DRF (Dublin Racing Festival).

“As a chaser on one day we split Galopin Des Champs and Fast Or Slow in the John Durkan. Whether it was bumpers, hurdles or chases he was mixing it with the best of them.

“He loved his racing. It was a pity – he missed a year through injury that was probably his prime year really, so I don’t think we saw the very best of him.

“But he was a yard favourite, and I had some great days with him, as did Paul (Townend). He’ll be much missed.”

The Mullins stable will still be well represented in the Grand National, with ten of their 14 entries guaranteed a spot in the prestigious race.

Mullins made history with a stunning 1-2-3 finish in last year’s edition and will fancy his chances of scooping the prize this time around.

He is on the brink of matching the record of four Grand National victories held by Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum, and Fred Rimell.