Mullins keeping his cool

WILLIE MULLINS is a banker to remain calm when others are tempted to run horses in the wrong Cheltenham races. Hills have had Yorkhill among their Champion Hurdle market leaders despite Mullins saying all along he will stay novice chasing. Yesterday Mullins, left, said it again – making Hills look silly. “I’m happy to keep him over fences,” he said. “It’s his novice year. We could have a think about putting him back over hurdles next season if we want to.”

No trainer in his right mind would run a novice chaser in the Champion Hurdle. Hills ought to refund any money taken on Yorkhill for that race. In contrast, David Pipe is strangely contemplating running his top novice in the Champion Hurdle.

Despite recently stating the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was the horse’s objective, he could still go for the Champion Hurdle.

“Touch wood, he’s in good form and we can get him there in good form,” said Pipe. “Whether that’s in the Supreme or the Champion, a decision will be made a lot closer to the time. He’ll be left in both races.”

The record of novices in open races is nothing short of dreadful. Laying them over the years would have yielded a profit.

Moon Racer will never be able to run at a Festival as a novice again so he is best kept in that company.

Looked at another way, why would you run in a race for which you are 33-1 if you are eligible for one in which you are 6-1.