Danny Mullins delighted to get leading owner Barry Connell's call

Danny Mullins has expressed his delight after being named retained jockey for one of Ireland's emerging owners in Barry Connell.

Despite his growing reputation in Ireland, Mullins has yet to have a ride at the Cheltenham Festival, but that looks certain to change this coming March. The Dessie Hughes-trained Minsk could be bound for Prestbury Park if he shows his worth in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday week, while Connell recently acquired Champion Bumper favourite Golantilla, now in the care of Tony Martin. "Barry has got horses like Mount Benbulben and Minsk. I think Minsk is going for the Deloitte on Hennessy day and it will be exciting to get on him," said Mullins. "Golantilla looks a very exciting prospect at the moment. Barry told me he's arrived with Tony Martin now and he's just having a bit of a break before hopefully getting ready for Cheltenham. "I've never even had a ride at the Festival before with one or two failing to get in their races, but I've had a couple of winners at the Paddy Power meeting. "It looks like Barry will have a good team for Cheltenham this time, which is great, as Cheltenham is the place everybody wants to win." While opportunities to ride for Willie Mullins will clearly be lessened by his new role, the young jockey hopes to maintain links with the yard. "If I'm free and available and Willie wants me to ride for him, I definitely will," he said. "Willie has been very good to me and I have learnt so much from riding out for him. "I owe him a big debt and I won't be cutting all ties with him."