The Melbourne Cup is nearly 11 months away. But have we seen a potential contender?
The Willie Mullins trained Sober won his fifth straight last night in Ireland, picking up the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
While there was only a small field of three, Sober won it in style, hitting the line strongly.
Add into the picture the 7 year-old is owned locally, as in Australia by OTI racing, a Cup tilt makes sense.
He won the Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2025 over 4,355 metres and looks set to defend his title in 2026. Speculation in the UK is Mullins will look at the Cheltenham Festival as well before a trip to Australia’s most famous race.
“He’s entered in the two-mile race at the Dublin Racing Festival, but that might be too close,” assistant trainer David Casey told racing post.
“We’ll leave that decision until closer to the time. He won at Ascot and hopefully he might end up back there. Given his owners [OTI Racing and The Why Knot Partnership], we’d be thinking about November [Melbourne Cup] maybe.”
Supreme calling?
Royal Ascot winner Sober coasts home in the @SkyBet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle for @PTownend, Willie Mullins and @OTIRacing pic.twitter.com/RjI5Vz94NY
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 11, 2026
Casey said the quality of Sober to win despite some poor jumps showed his ‘’flat class’’.
“He had a break after Ascot and we thought he’d improve for this,” Casey said. “We thought he might need a bit further, but maybe his Flat class and experience told. He put it to bed well.
“Paul said he quickened very well, probably better than what he expected. He was delighted with him and a stronger, truer-run race would probably suit him as well.
“He was a bit sketchy at the first, but you’d expect that after not having run for so long. I think Free Spirit will improve loads. He’s a completely different type having had just the two hurdles races in France, but he jumped well and kept galloping.”
