Stable Tour: Willie Mullins runs through his Cheltenham Festival team

Ben Linfoot provides us with an exhaustive guide to Willie Mullins' Cheltenham Festival team - in the trainer's own words.

The 2016 Cheltenham Festival is drawing ever closer and this week our Ben Linfoot visited the stables of top trainer Willie Mullins.

Below, Mullins talks us through his big team ahead of the National Hunt showpiece while you can click here to read Ben Linfoot's conclusions from his trip to Closutton.

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup

If we wanted to run our horses for the races they might win it could be a bit different, but at the moment we've a team for the Gold Cup. Who knows if we'll still have a full team? Maybe we'll have a late change. It is the Gold Cup and it should be the race we all aspire to win.

Vautour

Vautour did a nice session yesterday at Leopardstown. I only brought four horses over, Ballycasey led Vautour with Don Poli and Pont Alexandre going around. I just wanted to jump eight fences and it was just enough, they had all worked Saturday and we didn't want to do any fast work yesterday, it was just a jumping session to get them out and it went very well. Vautour is in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup at the moment but he's in the Gold Cup. I read an interesting article in the Racing Post this morning suggesting his pedigree might not have enough stamina, but we'll see. I think he has enough stamina anyhow. I decided we'd stay at home with him and train him at home (between the King George and the Gold Cup.) I just thought if he we brought him across and he got a nick or a cut or anything, like Djakadam, I'd be snookered with him. We asked him a big question at Kempton going on that far out and traditionally our horses wouldn't be as fit at Christmas as they are in March. He has never shone at Christmas, all through his novice hurdle years to novice chase years and he's been way better at Cheltenham. Possibly, with different tactics, he should easily stay. There are very few races further than 2m6f in France, so there might not be a lot of opportunity for horses (in his pedigree to prove they stay). Watching him in his work at home he looks like he will stay. We're happy enough he will stay on his homework.

Djakadam

I must compliment the vet in Cheltenham, when he got his cut. We were lucky enough that it was right up on his chest so we were able to keep him walking for a week. We probably missed about 10 days before he started back to trot, but he would've had a week off anyhow. We got him back doing fast work and I thought we wouldn't bring him up on Sunday in case what's left of his stitches opened. It looks very good and I'm not too worried whether he jumps again or not, basically he's a very good jumper. Getting him there now is the thing, he's doing plenty of work and he's a fair bit more to do, but I'm happy with him having worked him on Saturday. I worried about it at the time, I though I wouldn't have enough time to get him ready. But the way the stitches healed up meant he missed four or five days and I think I can get him ready. We're throwing the kitchen sink at him. He worked on Saturday, he worked yesterday and we'll get him away again soon. 

Don Poli

He's in good order. He's doing good work and he jumped well yesterday. He loves Cheltenham. He's been there twice and won twice, he just loves that hill, making ground all the time all the way up. He's not the fastest horse in the world but Bryan (Cooper) never dreamt he'd have enough speed from the fourth last in the RSA last year, but he did and the extra two-and-a-half furlongs will be exactly what he wants.

Valseur Lido

To me, every time he runs he shapes like he wants to go up in distance. Ruby hadn't asked him a question when they got to the last in the Irish Gold Cup. There is talk Gigginstown want to run him in the Ryanair but we'll see.

Sir Des Champs

If I can get him into any form he'll run in the Gold Cup. He disappointed last time.

Boston Bob

He could go to the Gold Cup [but] maybe we'll think about waiting for Aintree with him. There are only three weeks between Cheltenham and Aintree this year. If it were four weeks we'd probably have done the two, but I won't give a definite yes on him yet.

Ballycasey

I think he'll love Aintree. He could go for the Gold Cup or the Ryanair. We'll see the final bits of work and make a decision then.

Stan James Champion Hurdle

Annie Power

I'd imagine Vroum Vroum Mag will be our horse for the Mares' Hurdle and, if that's the case, I'd imagine Annie Power will be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle. Going back two years she was quite short for the Champion Hurdle and we thought she was a Champion Hurdle horse back then, when we had Hurricane Fly in it. You'd have to think that maybe it's the year she should be running in a Champion Hurdle. I don't think that (the trip) will be any problem to her. When you think of the horses that we could run in a Champion Hurdle here, you could count six of them I'd say, and she's be as fast as any of those. The races that suit her have been two-and-a-half. We went for the World Hurdle and it took a fair one to beat her on the day and that was her racing too fast, she didn't particularly settle. I think it might be easier for her going over two miles with the pace they will be going, it will be easier to ride her anyway. She's good and keen. She's only had one run, but I think plenty of horses have won the Champion Hurdle with one run and she's hard on herself in her work but I think that's good for her at this stage before Cheltenham. I imagine she'll wear a hood. It'll make her easier to ride. With the pace they'll be going in a Champion Hurdle she may not need it, but we'll see how she's going.

Sempre Medici

He definitely goes to the Champion Hurdle. He probably has to step up about 10lb. I have nothing else to run in him unless he carries top weight in the Coral Cup or something and I have no interest in doing that.

Nichols Canyon

We'll have another think about the Ryanair World Hurdle for him but I think everyone's keen he runs in the Champion Hurdle connections-wise, so I'll imagine he'll go there. He disappointed me last time, but he's usually very good and he seldom disappoints so you have to forgive him one bad run.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Un De Sceaux

I'd love it if the race was tomorrow, he's so well. We're just counting down the days with him really. He really is in terrific order. We'll probably do a school with him somewhere, at a racetrack, before we go. What I loved about Ascot was the manner of his racing. He switched off and settled and looked at his fences instead of just going out and flying over them. I thought it was the most mature performance I've ever seen him put in. He had plenty in the tank to pull away at the end. I came home from Ascot much happier with the horse and how he is taking his races, because sometimes, with a horse like him, they just get faster and faster and faster until they blow their lid. But he seems to be coming around now.

I doubt Champagne Fever will run, but Felix Yonger will run in the Champion Chase. Twinlight could too, as I've nothing else to keep him for.

Novice Hurdlers

I'll divide them up between owners and jockeys, who is available to ride - and it's not simple.

Min

I don't think he's as good as Douvan. It's hard to think he might be as good as Vautour, I hope he is.  Min looks very decent but until after Cheltenham we won't know how decent. This time last year I couldn't believe what I was seeing with Douvan out there on the gallops and then he showed everyone at Cheltenham what he showed me at home. His temperament has to be a concern. He's a lovely horse at home and he's fine in the parade ring and everything, but once he gets down to the start he tends to take a good grip. I'd imagine there will be a lot more pace at Cheltenham than certainly his last race, and with that pace he should just blend in. I don't think it will be a problem. Obviously I've been thinking about it, but we have taken steps (against that). They were telling me in France 'He wore this, he wore that', but his two runs in France he was beaten 20 lengths - so I thought 'Well, I'm not going to go down that route'. If Min wants to go off and do what he does that's fine by me. If he's not good enough, that's why we go to the races to find out. Why is he so short? When I came into the winners' enclosure at Galway someone asked me about Min. He was out on grass. There just seems to have been an undercurrent of Min, Min, Min from that early stage, so his reputation is certainly bigger than what he's done. I hope he's as good as his reputation but he has to go and do it yet and he hasn't done it. From what he's done at home you wouldn't believe he could be that short. However, the form lines are working out well. Ball d'Arc came out and won the other day and advertised his form. Maybe he's improving, but Min made him look very ordinary. If those lines of form are true then maybe he does deserve to be that price. But that's if.

Yorkhill

I think he'll be going for the Supreme. He can definitely do two [miles]. His pedigree suggests he could go out to three and he's won a point to point, but we'll be sticking two. He's won a Grade One, and the horse that finished third came out and won the top handicap, the Betfair Hurdle. He's good value.

Bellshill

His performance the other day suggested he should go for the Neptune. I had huge hopes for him, but we just had an off day. In the autumn I thought he'd have the speed for a Supreme Novices', especially the way that he jumps, but that run has put doubts in my mind.

Gangster

He definitely goes for the Albert Bartlett. He had a small setback, then worked very well and he's done plenty of work. He's a horse with a lot of ability but he's very hard to train. He just keeps having little setbacks. He's a half-brother to Rite Of Passage who was difficult to train for different reasons. When he's right he works fantastic and he's right now, so I won't do much with him between now and the Festival. He'll be doing slow work rather than fast stuff.

Thomas Hobson

I'm thinking Albert Bartlett for him. He could be a class horse in the Bartlett.

Long Dog

He's in the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett. It's the same with Thomas Hobson and they all have these options, but I'm thinking Albert Bartlett for Thomas Hobson, so that leaves Long Dog with the Neptune.

Open Eagle

He could do either of the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett too.

A Toi Phil

He's either Neptune or the long one. I imagine he might be Neptune. Gigginstown have a lot of horses for the Albert Bartlett, so he might be Neptune.

Bachasson

He should probably stay at home and wait for Fairyhouse, but I'd imagine he'll go for the Albert Bartlett.

Petit Mouchoir

Could go for the Supreme Novices'.

Up For Review

Definitely the Albert Bartlett.

Bleu Et Rouge

He's going to be a bit more difficult, he could run in any of the three. He'd have the speed for a Supreme but I'm not sure he has the jumping ability to keep up with them in the Supreme, but they (JP McManus) have got Yanworth for the Neptune. He stays well enough so maybe he could go for the Albert Bartlett. If Yanworth stays right I'd imagine they'd want to go for one of the other two races. If he was someone else's horse I would say the Neptune. He's a nice, settled horse so maybe jumping a bit slower in the Albert Bartlett would suit him. I'm sure Barry Geraghty will want to ride him.

Novice Chasers

Douvan

Douvan is just at that point in his career... I don't know if we've ever had anything as good. He looks the best prospect [of a Festival winner this year]. It's hard to go there depending on a novice chaser the way novice chases can go, but he would look like the one. He's had three races and I think that's plenty.

Shaneshill

He should go further than the Arkle trip. He could go JLT or even the RSA, there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

Outlander

I would say he'd be going for the JLT.

Pont Alexandre

I'm thinking the RSA or the four-miler.

Black Hercules

He's the one that I'm thinking most about. He's favourite for the four-miler, but I'm thinking of changing. He raced very keenly with Ruby the last day and I'm wondering if he's that keen in the four-miler he won't get home. I'm not sure I've mentioned it to Mr Wylie yet, but it's been on my mind to put him back to the RSA, or even the JLT and I actually think he'll be better suited by coming right back there. That one is up for discussion big time.

Roi Des Francs

He's going four-miler or RSA, depending on what Gigginstown want to do. Stamina is not an issue with him. He's good.

Sambremont

Definitely the four-miler.

JCB Triumph Hurdle

Footpad, Let's Dance, Apples Jade

Footpad's race - I can't go past him. They will all race again in the Triumph, Footpad, Let's Dance and Apples Jade. What he did the other day was very good in a true-run race. The Triumph Hurdle is usually a truly-run race and that will suit Footpad.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Augusta Kate, Avenir Dune Vie, Bacardys, Castello Sforza

Avenir Dune Vie is the highest-rated bumper horse we have. I thought Bacardys' win at Christmas was very good. The horse that won the Goffs bumper, Very Much So, he's doing nicely but he was supposed to go jumping this year, as was Castello Sforza. He looks like he'll go for the bumper. We'll see how he goes. They all have bits of form that give them a chance. Augusta Kate, we find her impossible to rate as you've seen what we see. She doesn't show anything at home. She either doesn't like our gallop or she doesn't like the way we train her, but she doesn't show any ability at home. When I went to Listowel I spoke to Graham Wylie and he asked if she was any good, as he wanted to put his friends into her (Ant and Dec, Lee Westwood, Chubby Chandler). I said, 'Well, we'll win something with her' and I was thinking a summer bumper and have a day out. Then she went and won by 23 lengths. Then she went and won a really good mares' bumper by seven lengths and she doesn't show anything like that at home.

OLBG Mares' Hurdle

Vroum Vroum Mag

She's stuck to her gender because the races were there, I have no problem with her racing against (male) horses. The programme of races were there and they were nice races. I'd imagine she'll go to the Mares' Hurdle. To step into the other company (World Hurdle) she has to take on Grade One horses at level weights, or with her fillies' allowance, and that would be a big jump up. If the mares' hurdle wasn't there she'd have to do it. The ground at Cheltenham is usually kept safe, which I think is good. It's a winter game and I think it's good to have winter ground even when we're coming to the spring. I've been taken with how she's won her races rather than what she's beaten. I think she's a very good mare. She doesn't look it, she looks very ordinary but she has an engine. It was amazing how easily she won at Ascot.

Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Limini

Limini will run in the mares' novices hurdle. Her form looks very good and she's showed us that at home as well. Her dam was a half-sister to Vintage Tipper that won the Irish Oaks so she has a fantastic pedigree. Her Flat form in France has worked out very well. Horses around her in France have gone on to win group races. If she can handle Cheltenham, she has a fair engine. She's way better at jumping now then she was. It was a fantastic maiden hurdle at Punchestown and she beat those horses very very easily. She's come back this season a way better jumper. The new course will possibly suit her well, she can use her galloping speed.

Myska

She disappointed the last day which is a worry. She could wait and go to Fairyhouse for the mares' novice Grade One, but she is likely to join Limini at the Festival.

Handicappers

I've entered Avant Tout in the handicap hurdles and it will be interesting to see what mark he gets. He won a two-mile chase on good ground and he won a three-mile hurdle. He could go anywhere. It will also be interesting to see how Great Field gets rated. Dicosimo is an interesting one for a handicap. He's fine after his fall. He could go Coral Cup but I prefer the County. Blood Cotil has got entries and could run in one but we won't worry about that. McKinley looks a definite for the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase on the opening day. Arbre De Vie, Children's List, Clondaw Warrior, Kalkir and Petit Parisienne would look ones for the Coral Cup. Blazer will either go Coral Cup or Martin Pipe. I like him for the Martin Pipe.  We have a lot in the Martin Pipe and it's a race that's been good to us. Great Field could be the one if he gets in. Burgas is more a chaser but we'll see what sort of rating he gets, but he's a horse that has improved immensely. We'll see what weight Voix Du Reve gets in the Fred Winter. If he gets a weight he'll probably go there. I might let Urano take his chance in the Kim Muir. Ivan Grozny is one we're trying to get to the County Hurdle, and it's the same with Townshend. I haven't got as many runners in that as I'd hoped (has nine entries).