29 December 2023 , 15:53
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Willie Mullins has taken a firm grip on yet more of the biggest races at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival after a spectacular 24 hours.
The record-breaking trainer saw Galopin Des Champs take control of the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting with a statement win in the Savills Chase on Thursday.
While Gaelic Warrior is a hot favourite for the Turners Novices’ Chase following his win the same day at Limerick.
On Friday two new candidates announced themselves when Ballyburn became 9-2 favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle after outclassing his rivals on the fourth and final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.
And then Grangeclare West was cut to the same odds at the head of the market for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with victory in the Rising Stars Novices Chase.
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State Man completed a brilliant day for Mullins with a comfortable victory in the Matheson Hurdle without being able to shift Constitution Hill from the top spot.
However former Cheltenham Festival winner Klassical Dream will not make the meeting after being ruled out for the season.
Ballyburn obliged at 2-9 under stable jockey Paul Townend but Grangeclare West, who went off at 4-1, was the more impressive winner.
“I didn’t expect that now – I thought he would run well, but that was a top race,” said Mullins.
“Paul was worried about him pulling too hard and he’d want to be as fit as he is because he just pulled his arms out for the three miles. To do that, on that ground and win like that going away was a huge performance.
“His jumping was excellent. He just came out of Paul’s hands at the first fence and from then on Paul was just trying to settle him back. He got him back jumping normally. He’s just a natural chaser.”
Until this week Klassical Dream had been in line for the Brown Advisory but the stable has found a readymade replacement.
He said: “Unfortunately, Klassical Dream is out for the season after his last bit of work. We will just let the injury settle down over Christmas, but it is very unfortunate.”