Cheltenham Festival: Willie Mullins reveals all about his team including Gold Cup favorite Galopin Des Champs! | race news
Cheltenham Festival: Willie Mullins reveals all about his team including Gold Cup favorite Galopin Des Champs! | race news
#Cheltenham #Festival #Willie #Mullins #reveals #team #including #Gold #Cup #favorite #Galopin #Des #Champs #race #news Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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We spoke to star Irish trainer Willie Mullins as he spoke about his Cheltenham Festival contenders including Galopin Des Champs, El Fabiolo, Lossiemouth and more!
The Closutton handler has saddled a remarkable 88 Cheltenham Festival winners, 10 of whom came to last year’s meeting including State Man, Vauban and Facile Vega.
This trio all return this year with chances alongside Gold Cup favorites Galopin Des Champs, Champion Chase hopeful Energumene and many others – we chat to the Irish Champion Trainer about all his key chances.
Corridor of the Chief Novices
“Facile Vega let us down but I think we just got the tactics wrong on the last day in Leopardstown but I think he will be fine. We’ll drive it differently next time.
“He’s had a few easy days and I’m happy with how he came out of the race.”
PICTURED: Paul Townend smiles for the cameras after guiding Facile Vega to victory at Fairyhouse
“Il Etait Temps jumped much better and I think he will improve again. We have a lot of work with him and everything has to go right.
“He’s more of a real hurdler than a chaser, but he’s always shown he has tremendous ability, he just needs to perfect his jumping a little. If you go back to his first run last year he was very good but his jumping let him Once he put that together he will tackle the best of them.
“We always thought he was a Class 1 horse. They’re probably the best two I have, so let’s hope they get there.”
Ballymore Novices’ hurdle
“Gaelic Warrior won a handicap last time and was second in the Boodles last year so we know he’s mastering the track.
“He’s improving and I think he’s good enough to take his chance at the Ballymore.
Image: Gaelic warrior
“Impaire Et Passe won the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown. That’s usually a step up for the Supreme, but this fellow previously won a two-and-a-half mile race so he can move up to the Ballymore.
“Champ Kiely won the Lawlors of Naas which got him his ticket to the Ballymore.”
Corridor of the Novices by Albert Bartlett
“Embassy Gardens is looking very good for the Albert Bartlett, although the owners sponsor the Ballymore. He looks made for the race.”
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Jockey Danny Mullins admits he might have been luckier when he faced Lossiemouth at Leopardstown but believes Gala Marceau is spot on in terms of talent
triumph hurdle
“Lossiemouth was very unlucky with traffic problems on the last day. She’s a favorite and I don’t think she lost anything except the prize money when she lost.
“Blood Destiny’s win earlier brings him into the picture. I didn’t run him at Leopardstown because I want to keep him fresh but he’s very good and he’s going there with a big chance.
“Gala Marceau won at Leopardstown and is improving all the time. She’s another with a good chance.”
Image: Daryl Jacob and El Fabiolo win the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown
Chase of the Arkle Novices
“I’ve always been fascinated by El Fabiolo and if you look back on his second run of his life he brought Jonbon up to a short head on Aintree.
“No matter what, he’s at the top and it just depends on which horse has improved the most over the winter.
champion hurdle
“I think State Man will go to any ground. Constitution Hill seems to like this faster ground so we need to put on a show.
“There is more to him because he is a very deep horse. I’ve never seen him and said, ‘This is the height of his powers’.
“Constitution Hill has won the race the last few times but he could change tactics. I’m sure Paul [Townend, jockey] will have something in mind.”
Picture: Paul Townend and State Man celebrate winning the Irish Champion Hurdle
Queen Mother Champion Chase
“We’ll see what develops on the day but I think my main concern for Energumene is just getting over the first fence.
“It was new fences with new white boards last time at Cheltenham. Also it was a different track but now that he’s twirled around there with the new fences I think he’ll be a different horse. He needed the outlet.
“Gentleman De Mee was electrifying at Leopardstown and that gives him a really good chance there.”
mare corral
“I want to try and go to Punchestown with Brandy Love if I can. I know it’s the wrong way because she prefers to walk with her left hand, but I’d love to meet her.
“The Mares race could be the hottest race of the festival with Epatante and Honeysuckle coming back. It’s going to be a race!”
hurdle of stayers
“I wouldn’t call Klassical Dream a runner by any means, but he’s doing the right thing.
“If I have to wait with him at Aintree or Punchestown, then so be it.
Image: Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy (right) win Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle from Klassical Dream (center) and Honeysuckle (left)
Turners’ Novice Chase
“I still don’t know what to do with Sir Gerhard. He’s inexperienced so is he better off going two and a half with fewer jumps or three miles with more jumps but slower?”
mare hunt
“Allegorie De Vassy seems to have great talent and a clear runner will make them very competitive.
“Elimay was driving a cracker the other day and I had to catch her. I loved how she traveled to get back home. I think that will bring her a lot.”
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Patrick Mullins is adamant the Gold Cup journey of three miles and two furlongs at Cheltenham shouldn’t be a problem for favorite Galopin Des Champs
Cheltenham Gold Cup
“We have Galopin Des Champs and Stattler in the Gold Cup and both have great chances.
“Galopin Des Champs won the Irish Gold Cup and did well. It probably wasn’t as noticeable as a lot of people were hoping, but I don’t think it needed to be. We focused more on calming him down and getting him to race.
“Stattler has developed well from second place at Tramore with Minella Indo and put in a really good test on the last day at Leopardstown.”
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Willie Mullins has two good darts to throw at this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and is also nominating his handicap Dark Horse for the festival
Handicap for dark horses
“I had a pretty nice one in Thurles the other day with Spanish Harlem and if he’s strong enough then fingers crossed he gets into the Martin pipe and you have to watch out.
