Formerly trained in France by Francois Nicolle, Kiss Will joined Willie Mullins in November 2024 and won twice for the yard over hurdles, at Fairyhouse and Perth, before being sent over fences at the start of the 2025/26 season. Still only a six-year-old, the Tunis gelding has yet to win any of his six steeplechases so far, or finish in the first four over three miles or further over fences, which is one of the qualification criteria for the Grand National. Nevertheless, he has time on his side and if he is to emerge as a bona fide Grand National contender he is in the right hands to do so, Mullins having won the race in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Kiss Will showed his best form so far when second, beaten a length-and-a-half, at level weights, by subsequent Irish Grand National winner Soldier In Milan in a beginners’ chase at Punchestown on February 15, 2026. Indeed, he was in the process of running another solid race when falling heavily three out in the Irish Grand National itself at Fairyhouse on April 6, 2026, on his first attempt beyond three miles. He subsequently finished a never-dangerous eighth, beaten 25 lengths or more, behind stable companion Funiculi Funicula in a novice chase, over a seemingly-inadequate two-and-a-half miles, at Punchestown on May 1, 2026.
Obviously, Willie Mullins has an embarrassment of riches as far as Grand National contenders are concerned, with the likes of I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West, among others, to call upon. However, as a young, unexposed steeplechaser, who retains any amount of potential over staying distances, it will be interesting to see where Kiss Will fits into the Closutton pecking order as his career progresses. Originally bought for £235,000, Mullins’ assistant David Casey said of him, shortly afterwards, “I like the look of Kiss Will, he looks a nice horse.” Barring accidents, Kiss Will may not be long in repaying his purchase tag.