Mullins adamant stamina will be no issue for 'Gold Cup horse' Galopin Des Champs

Willie Mullins insists Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs will not be found wanting when it comes to stamina for jump racing's premier prize, with all roads leading to a blockbuster Cheltenham clash with reigning champion A Plus Tard at the festival in March.

Galopin Des Champs did not race beyond 2m5½f in his four spectacular starts over fences last season, collecting on each occasion with the exception of a final-fence fall in the Turners Novices' Chase at the festival with the race at his mercy.

But such was the impression he created last season that he is priced up as general 3-1 market leader for this season's Boodles-sponored prize, with A Plus Tard available at 4-1.

Speaking at a Horse Racing Ireland press event to launch the jumps season at his Closutton base, Mullins indicated his preference is for Allaho – third favourite in the Gold Cup market and in the same ownership as A Plus Tard – to be targeted at a third consecutive Ryanair Chase win.

"I hope Galopin Des Champs will be our Gold Cup horse," Mullins said. "He looks the part and is doing everything right at home. We had one little setback a couple of weeks ago but he's back on track again. He's a big horse but doesn't look it – I love that about horses like him. He's so well proportioned and light on his feet."

Galopin Des Champs: Willie Mullins has sights set on the Cheltenham Gold Cup with his chasing starCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Asked about any stamina concerns regarding the 3m2½f trip for the three-time Grade 1 winner, Mullins said: "I've never had a worry about it. I'd be fairly worried about Allaho getting the trip, but I'm not at all worried about Galopin Des Champs. I have that sort of faith in him.

"I'd like to start him off in the John Durkan but it's quite near to Christmas this year on December 11. We didn't run until Christmas last year but I'd like to run him in early December and then go to Leopardstown at Christmas, or Tramore on New Year's Day."

The Cheltenham Festival's most successful trainer of all time is setting his sights on the King George VI Chase for Allaho, who proved his effectiveness over three miles with a convincing victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.

Allaho: bolted up by 14 lengths in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in April when last seenCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins said: "I'd imagine Kempton will be his early-season aim. We'll see how that goes and then my preference would be the Ryanair, but I haven't spoken to [owners] Cheveley Park yet.

"He'll have a couple of options to start off, possibly the Clonmel Oil Chase [on November 17] depending on whether the ground is right for him."

Ireland's 16-time champion trainer is looking forward to taking the wraps off last season's Champion Bumper hero Facile Vega, who is already no bigger than 5-2 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"Over the past few years I haven't seen a horse that I'm looking forward to as much as Facile Vega," said Mullins.

"With the turn of foot he showed in bumpers he'd be a Supreme horse, and with his pedigree he could turn out to be a Ballymore horse. His jumping is very good. Like his mother [Quevega], he's a natural."

Facile Vega: 'His jumping is very good. Like his mother [Quevega], he's a natural'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Champion Chase winner Energumene is on course to return in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork on December 11, while Mullins expects to step Chacun Pour Soi up in trip to at least 2m4f over the coming months.

Mullins is also toying with the idea of sending six-time Grade 1 winner Klassical Dream over fences this season, although a lack of depth in the staying hurdle division could tempt connections to remain over flights.

Mullins' stellar novice chasing squad has suffered a blow with Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner The Nice Guy set to miss the season due to a setback.

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