Willie Mullins, the renowned trainer from Closutton, is facing a delightful conundrum as he ponders over his talented pool of novice hurdlers for the upcoming Cheltenham festival.
With a staggering seven victories in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and an impressive six wins in the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle, Mullins has a track record that demands respect.
This year, his team is brimming with potential, with horses like Ballyburn and Mystical Power dominating the ante-post lists for both races.
Ballyburn, owned by Ronnie Bartlett and David Manasseh, showcased his prowess at the Dublin Racing Festival, making a strong case for being Mullins' number one contender in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. However, Mullins is in no rush to make a decision and is content to wait until the last moment.
Mystical Power, owned by JP McManus, is another horse that has caught Mullins' attention. With a solid pedigree, being the offspring of Galileo and Champion Hurdle victor Annie Power, Mystical Power has shown remarkable improvement in his recent races. Mullins compares him to other late-developing horses like Quevega and believes he is a strong contender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Alongside these talented novices, Mullins also has Asian Master, Readin Tommy Wrong, High Class Hero, Dancing City, Majborough, Sir Gerhard, and Sa Majeste in his arsenal. The festival is sure to witness an exhilarating showdown as Mullins guides his formidable team towards glory.