MULLINS: ALLAHO IS THE ONE
WILLIE MULLINS, the most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, has nominated Allaho as his banker of the meeting next month
Mullins, with 78 winners at the Festival, saddles 10 of the favourites from his expected team of 55 runners.
Discussing this year’s hopes at his Closutton Stables in Co Carlow, the trainer said: “Allaho is in great shape and goes for the Ryanair, the race he won last year, and I will be disappointed if doesn’t run a very good race.”
Mullins is not short of confidence about capturing a fifth Champion Hurdle with Appreciate It. Last seen winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, Mullins said: “I had him away for a gallop last week and I’m very pleased.
“It will be a big challenge to take on Honeysuckle for any horse.
“We’ve a good record for getting horses ready after a long absence, like Quevega.
“It’s not something I’m worried about.”
Mullins, successful 11 times in the Champion Bumper, makes a strong case for more celebrations with Facile Vega, the son of Quevega. “From what I’ve seen at home and on the track, he’s one I would be riding,” said Mullins.
“He did a bit of work last year, and I thought ‘wow’, he could be very special.”
As for landing a third Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup with Al Boum Photo, Mullins was not giving any encouragement.
“I would like him to be in better order, if I’m honest,” he said. “He went away to work and I wasn’t happy with him, but he was in better form this morning.”
Mullins gave a more positive report about Tornado Flyer, winner of the King George VI Chase, capturing the Gold Cup. “A similar type of performance in the Gold Cup will put him right there,” said his trainer.
Galopin Des Champs, winner of last year’s Martin Pipe Hurdle, has made an electrifying transformation to fences and heads for the Turners Chase rather than the three-mile Brown Advisory.
Mullins has still to capture the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and he saddles Chacun Pour Soi, third last year, along with Energumene.
“We’re looking forward to taking on Shishkin again after we finished second to him at Ascot. It’s going to be hard to turn around that result.”