Mullins’ Cheltenham team still formidable despite the absentees
Twelve months ago Annie Power became the first mare to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle in 22 years. Sadly the nine-year-old will not be returning to defend her crown this time round due to injury and another former winner Faugheen is also on the injured list.
However their owners Susanne and Rich Ricci will be hoping that stablemate Vroum Vroum Mag can defend her crown in this afternoon’s OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
While a number of horses in Willie Mullins’ string have been plagued with injuries in recent weeks, the Co Kilkenny trainer still heads across the water with a formidable entry across the four days, among them another top Mares’ Hurdle entry in Limini.
It was thought that the six-year-old might have originally been aimed at the Champion Hurdle following an impressive win at Punchestown last month, but her connections have instead set her up to go head-tohead with her stablemate in the €125,000 contest.
Rich Ricci said: “I’ve said all along that there was no point supplementing for the sake of it unless we thought she’d have a big chance of winning. I never had an interest in running just to get my money back.
“Last year, when we supplemented Annie Power, we knew she’d go very close to winning, but it was difficult to say that about Limini given the fact she’s had only one run this season and was taking on a field of very experienced horses. It was going to be a big ask.”
Injury
With the 2015 winner Faugheen out of the picture, Mullins is likely to be represented by both Footpad and Wicklow Brave for the €500,000 Grade 1 race where Buveur D’Air and Yanworth are likely to be battling for supremacy.
The absence of top Irish jockey Barry Geraghty through injury has opened the door for second rider to JP McManus, Mark Walsh, who secures the rides on Yanworth, amongst others for the week.
Meanwhile, Altior heads 15 horses to have stood their ground for today’s Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the opening card 12 months ago and has won all of his four starts over fences this season in the style of a top-drawer prospect.
The Kim Bailey-trained Charbel was runner-up to Altior in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December and is set to renew rivalry with the hot favourite.
Willie Mullins has left in Royal Caviar and Yorkhill, though both also hold entries in the JLT, while Henry de Bromhead has Ordinary World, Some Plan and Three Stars from his team.
Completing the list of possibles are A Hare Breath, Cloudy Dream, Flying Angel, Forest Bihan, Gino Trail, Knockgraffon and Le Prezien.