Irish champion Willie Mullins backed to be top Festival trainer

Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins is 2-5 (from 1-2) favourite with Coral to be the top trainer at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, following support for the Closutton handler today.

“The backing for Willie Mullins comes despite the news that Champagne Fever, favourite for the Racing Post Arkle, will miss his intended Festival prep at Navan on Sunday, although there’s no suggestion he won’t take his part in an extremely strong raiding party at Prestbury Park next month,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer
2-5 (from 1-2) Willie Mullins, 7-2 Paul Nicholls, 4 Nicky Henderson, 33 David Pipe

**Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey
4-7 Ruby Walsh, 9-2 Barry Geraghty, 8 AP McCoy, 14 Bryan Cooper, 16 Sam Twiston-Davies, 20 Richard Johnson, Noel Fehily, Daryl Jacob, 25 Tom Scudamore, 33 Jason Maguire

**Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
3 Vautour, 8 Irving, 10 Wicklow Brave, 12 First Mohican, Josses Hill, 14 Western Boy, 16 The Tullow Tank, Valseur Lido, West Wizard, 20 Aklan, Ballyalton, Briar Hill, Broughton, Faugheen, Gilgamboa, Legacy Gold, Lieutenant Colonel, Pearl Castle, Regal Encore, Splash Of Ginge, The Liquidator, Vieux Lion Rouge, Willow’s Saviour, Zamdy Man, 25 Bar

**Racing Post Arkle
7-2 Champagne Fever, 6 Dodging Bullets, Rock On Ruby, Trifolium, 10 Hinterland, Valdez, 12 Felix Yonger, 16 Balder Succes, Grandouet, 20 Ballycasey, 25 Bar

**Stan James Champion Hurdle
3 The New One, Hurricane Fly, 7-2 My Tent Or Yours, 5 Our Conor, 7 Annie Power, 12 Jezki, Un De Sceaux, 25 Melodic Rendezvous, 66 Ptit Zig, 100 Grumeti, Thousand Stars

**David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle
8-11 Quevega, 7 Cockney Sparrow, 12 Highland Retreat, 14 Glens Melody, 20 Caroles Spirit

**National Hunt Chase
7 Foxrock, 8 Corrin Wood, Sam Winner, Shotgun Paddy, 10 Ballycasey, Black Thunder, Mendip Express, 12 Double Seven, Holywell, Just A Par, Morning Assembly, 14 Don Cossack, 16 Bar

**Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle
4 Faugheen, 6 Red Sherlock, 8 The Tullow Tank, 12 Kings Palace, 14 Ballyalton, Royal Boy, 16 Apache Stronghold, Briar Hill, Deputy Dan, Rathvinden, Sure Reef, Vautour, 20 Beat That, Fennel Bay, Gilgamboa, Oscar Rock, The Liquidator, Urban Hymn, 25 Bar

**RSA Chase
5 Ballycasey, 7 Smad Place, 8 Morning Assembly, 10 Carlingford Lough, Corrin Wood, Don Cossack, 12 Champagne Fever, Taquin Du Seuil, 14 Djakadam, 16 Black Thunder, Foxrock, Gevrey Chambertin, Le Bec, Sam Winner, Wonderful Charm, 20 Bar

**Queen Mother Champion Chase
4-5 Sprinter Sacre, 11-4 Sire De Grugy, 10 Benefficient, Captain Conan, 14 Al Ferof, Arvika Ligeonniere, 16 Baily Green, Kid Cassidy, Somersby, 20 Alderwood, Hinterland, Module, Sizing Europe, Special Tiara, 25 Bar

**Weatherbys Champion Bumper
7 Black Hercules, 8 Shaneshill, 10 Golantilla, Modus, 14 El Namoose, Silver Concorde, Value At Risk, Windsor Park, 16 Royal Cavalier, 25 Aqalim, Joshua Lane,

**JLT Novices’ Chase
6 Champagne Fever, Wonderful Charm, 7 Oscar Whisky, 8 Ballycasey, Felix Yonger, Taquin Du Seuil, 10 Trifolium, Vukovar, 12 Djakadam, 14 Bright New Dawn, Double Ross, Uxizandre, 16 Bar

**Ryanair Chase
3 Cue Card, 5 Benefficient, 6 Al Ferof, First Lieutenant, 8 Last Instalment, 10 Dynaste, 12 Arvika Ligeonniere, 14 Captain Conan, Hidden Cyclone, Lyreen Legend, Menorah, 16 Baily Green, Module, Riverside Theatre, Sizing Europe, Wishfull Thinking, 20 Bar

**Ladbrokes World Hurdle
5-2 Annie Power, Big Buck’s, 5 At Fishers Cross, 6 More Of That, 7 Rule The World, 8 Quevega, 10 Zarkandar, 12 Saphir De Rheu, 14 Celestial Halo, 16 Monksland, Boston Bob, 20 Fingal Bay, Reve De Sivola, Salubrious, 33 Bar

**JCB Triumph Hurdle
6 Calipto, 7 Le Rocher, 10 Guitar Pete, 12 Broughton, Fox Norton, 14 Gitane Du Berlais, Ivan Grozny, 16 Pearl Castle, Plinth, Royal Irish Hussar, Rutherglen, Tiger Roll, 20 Adriana Des Mottes, Dawalan, 25 Bar

**Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
7-2 King’s Palace, 4 Briar Hill, 8 Faugheen, 10 Captain Cutter, Red Sherlock, 12 Champagne West, Royal Boy, 14 Deputy Dan, Urban Hymn, Vautour, 16 Apache Jack, Rathvinden, Sure Reef, Valseur Lido, 20 Bar

**Betfred Gold Cup
2 Bobs Worth, 7-2 Silviniaco Conti, 6 Last Instalment, 8 Cue Card, 14 First Lieutenant, 20 The Giant Bolster, 25 Harry Topper, 33 Boston Bob, Captain Chris, Dynaste, Long Run, Triolo d’Alene, 40 Bar

**CGA Foxhunter Chase
4 Mossey Joe, 6 Harbour Court, On The Fringe, 10 Oscar Delta, Pearlysteps, 20 That’s Rhythm,

**Crabbies Grand National
16 Teaforthree, Tidal Bay, 20 Colbert Station, Long Run, Monbeg Dude, On His Own, Prince De Beauchene, Triolo D’Alene, 25 Alfie Sherrin, Godsmejudge, Hawkes Point, Merry King, Mossey Joe, Mountainous, Our Father, Rocky Creek, Seabass, Shakalakaboomboom, 28 Home Farm, 33 Balthazar King, Burton Port, Carlingford Lough, Katenko, Liberty Counsel, Rockaboya, Same Difference, Sunnyhillboy, The Rainbow Hunter, Vintage Star, 40 Bar

ENDS

Further Information Contact
David Stevens 07720 400438