Willie Mullins has given some clearer indications about some of his stable stars’ Cheltenham Festival targets. The likes of Mighty Park, Lossiemouth and Fact To File feature in that rundown, with day two confirmations all made for the big meeting.
All of today’s racing news is rounded up in our Friday selection.
Willie Mullins runners given clearer Cheltenham targets
One definitive target was narrowed down for a Willie Mullins runner on Thursday. Mighty Park, who had been favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, was not confirmed for the race. As such, he will run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the opening day if fit. Mighty Park has only raced once in his career so far, but he won by a staggering 38 lengths. He will now be the Closutton number one in the first race of the meeting. (Racing Post)
Mullins has also dropped further hints about Fact To File’s likely Cheltenham destination. His easy success in the Irish Gold Cup propelled many to suggest he should be supplemented for the Cheltenham version. However, owner JP McManus already has three horses likely to run in the Friday feature. As a result, Mullins asked the question: “Do you think he would want four bullets for one race?” With Jonbon likely to miss the Ryanair Chase, Fact To File would be the clear flag-bearer. (Mirror)
A significant move on the exchanges on Thursday appeared to give punters the destination for Lossiemouth too. The grey has won the Mares’ Hurdle for the last two seasons. However, she drifted for that race while shortening significantly for the Champion Hurdle. Mullins does not have an obvious chance in the Tuesday showpiece unless Lossiemouth takes part. She is now the second favourite for the Champion Hurdle on the exchanges, behind The New Lion. (talkSPORT)
Wednesday confirmations including Grade 1 supplementation
Further Wednesday confirmations were made for the Cheltenham Festival. As well as Mighty Park, Willie Mullins removed Doctor Steinberg from the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. He will almost certainly head for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle instead. In the Brown Advisory novices’ Chase, there were no surprises bar one supplementary entry. Gavin Cromwell has committed Now Is The Hour, the Thyestes Chase winner, to the race, having not originally been entered. (Sporting Life)
Evan Williams court case continues
Trainer Evan Williams has continued to appear in court accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a 72-year-old. Williams denies the charges, and claimed on Thursday that he was trying to help the man. Martin Dandridge says Williams hit him with a hockey stick, though Williams claims he was investigating disruption on his priority, and was simply trying to help him out of a ditch after falling. The case continues. (BBC)