Start putting a few quid aside, Mullins is bringing out the big guns.
After his record breaking 8 winners at the Cheltenham festival, Willie Mullins will be sending his stars to Punchestown this month, with Faugheen, Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly lined up for a mouth-watering Queally Group Celebrating 35 Years In Naas Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
“Our first three home in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham – Faugheen, Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly – definitely look likely to line up again in the Queally Group Celebrating 35 Years In Naas Punchestown Champion Hurdle,” said Mullins.
“Arctic Fire doesn’t seem any the worse for his Aintree fall – it was a tough fall – but he’s eaten up and everything and was out on Monday morning for the first time since doing some light exercise.
“Punchestown is nearly Hurricane Fly’s second home, he looks great but will have it all to do against Faugheen. I’m a huge Hurricane Fly fan so hope he might get his revenge against Faugheen but we’ll see what happens.”
Hurricane Fly is also entered for the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle, but would be expected to race in the Champion Hurdle, which he won four times in a row between 2010 and 2014.
Also entered in the World Hurdle are Thousand Stars and Zaidpour, as is Annie Power, but she is expected to run in the Mares Hurdle.
The first of his Cheltenham winners Douvan looks most likely to run in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle, although Mullins says he has other options with the horse.
“Douvan is a likely runner in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. He’s the top horse on ratings and won a Grade 2 race well around the track previously in February. He is also engaged in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles but the two-miler is more likely. Nichols Canyon, who won well at Aintree, is also a likely runner while Shaneshill is a possibility,” he added.
Mullins will be putting his Arkle winner Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair Novice Chase, while Champagne Fever and Felix Younger are put forward in the Boylesports Champion Chase.
Mullins adds that there could also be an intriguing contest between Don Poli and Vautour in store for punters.
“In the Growise Champion Novice Chase, Don Poli looks to be a good candidate – he is on course for the race and it’s his best option during the week. There’s a good chance Vautour will go for the race too – he definitely could line up beside Don Poli. He does have other options as well so we’ll see.”
Boston Bob, Djakadam, Annie Power, Ballycasey and On His Own are also set to feature for Mullins at a festival where he’s had more than 100 winners, and has been top trainer for 12 of the past 14 years.
