Mutch more to come, says Burghley hopeful

TYNESIDE’S Harry Mutch believes ‘under the radar’ Shanbeg Cooley has what it takes to wow the crowd at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

- By MOHAMED HAMZA

The 11-year-old gelding was absent from the 2024 edition of the world-famous 5* event, a year on from placing 28th in his Defender Burghley debut, but will return to the iconic venue for a second go-around this week.

While Mutch concedes that Shanbeg Cooley will have his share of doubters, the Whitley Bay-based rider believes his steed will win plenty of new fans.

“T've had him now since he was a five-year-old so I feel like we know each other inside out,’ said Mutch, who has previously ridden the now-retired Bronze HD.

“He's the sort of horse that rises to the big occasions and loves a good challenge. I feel he is a proper ‘Burghley’ horse and it's exciting.