Mullins forced to rule Douvan, Dream and Saldier out of Cheltenham
Triple Festival blow for champion trainer.
Willie Mullins has been dealt a blow ahead of next month’s Cheltenham Festival and has had to rule Saldier, Douvan and Klassical Dream out of the big meeting. Douvan and Klassical Dream are previous Festival winners, while Saldier looked to be a major player in the Champion Hurdle but has not been seen since winning at Punchestown in November. Both Saldier and Douvan are owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, but have been difficult to keep fit in recent years. Douvan appeared to retain all his old ability when winning the Clonmel Oil Chase, but another setback means he will not be going back to Cheltenham, where he won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2015 and the Arkle 12 months later. “Unfortunately Klassical Dream is out for the season,” said Mullins. “It’s the problem that ruled him out of the Irish Champion Hurdle last weekend.“Douvan also won’t make Cheltenham, as won’t Saldier and he (Saldier) will probably miss Punchestown as well. If he does we’ll probably prepare him for a Flat campaign.” One who will make Cheltenham but will not run again before the Festival is Cilaos Emery, a first-fence faller in the Dublin Chase last weekend. “He was great after his fall, but I’m not going to run him before Cheltenham, I’ll just take him straight there,” said Mullins.
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Philosophical Varian grateful for opportunity amid King Of Steel speculation
‘We’ve been on a hell of a ride the last 12 months’.
-
Harrington delighted as Birdman takes flight at Navan
Queen’s Vase on the horizon for promising gelding.
-
Big Rock team will regroup after Lockinge conditions go against QEII winner
‘Today we are just unlucky with the weather and he has had 200 days off’.
-
Audience leaves Lockinge onlookers in disbelief
Inspiral’s stablemate makes all for 22-1 shock in Newbury showpiece.
-
Middle Earth makes most of Aston Park opportunity
But Desert Hero disappoints in Newbury Group Three.
-
Lead Artist takes starring role at York
St James’s Palace Stakes bid on the cards for Gosden-trained colt.