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Ballyburn Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle bound

3 minute read

Willie Mullins has revealed that Ballyburn will run in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, recently known as the Barring Bingham, at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

BALLYBURN winning the Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

With Ballyburn heading both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Gallagher Novices' Hurdle markets, news regarding his Cheltenham Festival destination had been eagerly awaited by many.

An impressive winner over two and a half miles at Leopardstown, the Ronnie Bartlett and David Manasseh-owned gelding subsequently dropped back to two miles to land the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival last month, a performance that left many pondering as to what his Cheltenham Festival target would be.

Targets were made clear on Thursday afternoon after Willie Mullins told Sportinglife.com. "Mystical Power will run in the Sky Bet Supreme and Ballyburn, all being well, will run in the Baring Bingham (Gallagher Novices' Hurdle),"

"Paul Townend will probably ride Tullyhill in the Supreme."

Ballyburn is now as short as 8/13 for the two-and-a-half-mile opener on Wednesday.