How the Stayers' Hurdle field reveals much about Willie Mullins' novice chase plans
The initial entry stage was unlikely to resolve the annual argument between the Champion Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle, and so it didn't. We are no nearer to finding out the target for Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth and Kargese than we were on Monday.
That drama will have to play out in the weeks ahead. By and large it will take place not on the course but in quotes, rune-reading and Betfair moves, each of unknown veracity. It is by far the most tiresome part of the build-up to Cheltenham.
There is at least a true wildcard among the 16 entries for the Champion Hurdle in the Japanese-trained eight-year-old entire All The World. His name is new to me, too. The research I have done into him is likely to be an exercise as worthwhile as a dog chasing a tennis ball.
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Published on inFestival Fields
Last updated
- Why Constitution Hill has to be taken on in the Champion Hurdle
- How the Mares' Hurdle picture could look very different on the day - plus other key talking points
- Constitution Hill’s shadow looms over Champion Hurdle with Willie Mullins having as many entries as Britain
- 'We've never looked under the bonnet so we still don't know how good he could be' - Patrick Mullins on the Champion Hurdle dark horse
- Surprise Japanese runner joins Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle as more star-studded Cheltenham Festival entries revealed
- Why Constitution Hill has to be taken on in the Champion Hurdle
- How the Mares' Hurdle picture could look very different on the day - plus other key talking points
- Constitution Hill’s shadow looms over Champion Hurdle with Willie Mullins having as many entries as Britain
- 'We've never looked under the bonnet so we still don't know how good he could be' - Patrick Mullins on the Champion Hurdle dark horse
- Surprise Japanese runner joins Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle as more star-studded Cheltenham Festival entries revealed