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Willie Mullins eyes up Cheltenham century

Willie Mullins gives an update on his key Cheltenham players

Friday, 16 February 2024
Willie Mullins eyes up Cheltenham century

Cheltenham Festival looms under a month away and Willie Mullins is eyeing up a historic century of victories at the illustrious event, write Elise Hamersley

With 94 Cheltenham winners to his name, Mullins is the festival’s most successful trainer and his prolific equine army haven’t rested on their laurels in the build-up.

The legendary Closutton trainer claimed a Grade 1 clean sweep at Dublin Racing Festival earlier this month with nine winners in total across the weekend.

As Cheltenham draws nearer, Mullins this week gave an update on his key players (quotes courtesy of Racing Post).

 

Galopin Des Champs

Last Race: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase, Grade 1 (First)

Targeted race: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase

 

“He's come out of the Irish Gold Cup very well and we're happy. It’s going to be a tip-top Gold Cup, but he's in great form and has enjoyed being ridden more prominently on his last few starts.

“I had wanted him ridden off the pace for two years before that because he was too keen and I felt he’d get drawn into a battle.

“This year I don’t mind how he's ridden. He’s stronger and more mature now, and I think he’ll be up for it.”

 

Monkfish

Last race: John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, Grade 2 (First)

Targeted race: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle/Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase

 

“He's in the Stayers' Hurdle and the Gold Cup and I'm thinking if enough rain comes we seriously have to consider the Gold Cup.

“He's got the class and I was happy he came back in good order at Gowran, albeit over hurdles. I'm going to prepare him for the Gold Cup.

“The horse is in great order. Is he as good as he once was? I haven't asked him all those questions, but I thought he went a long way towards answering that question at Gowran.

“Come Cheltenham he'll be better again.”

 

State Man

Last race: Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, Grade 1 (First)

Targeted race: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

 

“He's in great order. His performance at Christmas was huge against Impaire Et Passe, who was much more competitive there than he was the other day at the Dublin Racing Festival.

“He's going to be really race-fit. Nicky Henderson might not think so, or Constitution Hill fans might not think so, but I think we're stronger this year.”

 

El Fabiolo

Last race: Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, Grade 1 (First)

Targeted race: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase/ Ryanair Chase

 

“He was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival, and I thought that day, given the piece of work Dinoblue did leading up to the race, that if he missed a beat he'd be in trouble and this mare would be on top of him.

“But he didn't miss a beat and was just so good. Most people probably thought he'd be that good anyway, but when I saw the piece of work Dinoblue did I thought he'd have to be in some order to beat her.

“I just hope he hasn't peaked too soon.”

 

Il Etait Temps

Last race: Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase, Grade 1 (First)

Targeted race: My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase
 

“I'd imagine he's Arkle bound. Danny [Mullins] got on great with him at the Dublin Racing Festival, so I think that going for the Arkle is going to be an easy enough decision to make.”

 

Lossiemouth

Last race: Unibet Hurdle, Grade 2 (First)

Targeted race: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy/Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
 

“She hasn't done anything wrong, and I know a lot of people would like her to go for the Champion Hurdle, but I'm not sure she'd be going down that route even if there wasn't a Mares' Hurdle.

“Five-year-olds win a Champion Hurdle once every 25 to 30 years, and usually in a bad year. 

“This doesn't look a bad year. Five-year-olds just can't lie up and are not physically strong enough. She did everything right at Cheltenham the other day and maybe she is stronger, but she'll have her chance in the next couple of years to have a go at the Champion Hurdle.

“We'll let State Man soften Constitution Hill up first.”

 

Capodanno

Last race: Paddy Power Cotswold Chase, Grade 2 (First)

Targeted race: Ryanair Chase
 

“The only race he's in is the Ryanair. It's been mentioned [supplementing for the Gold Cup], but he has other options like Aintree.

“He could have a crack at the Ryanair and then go on to Aintree, but we'll see when the weights come out next week.”

 

Ballyburn

Last race: Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle, Grade 1 (First)

Targeted race: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle/Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle
 

“He's been very impressive. He's in the Supreme and the Baring Bingham. Pedigree-wise and looking at him I'd be thinking Baring Bingham but looking at his race record I'd be thinking the Supreme.

“I'm not going to call it now.”



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