It was a remarkable day for Willie Mullins to open the Cheltenham Festival, with the legendary trainer claiming three big winners to kick off the week.
The Irishman is on the hunt for his 100th winner at the festival this week, coming into the 2024 edition just six short of that tally. He now looks nailed on to reach the century of triumphs after his exploits today.
Along with jockey Paul Townend, he powered home three winners on the first day of the festivities. Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase was his first winner of the day, with State Man and Lossiemouth going on to emerge victorious in the Champion Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle respectively.
With some very strong runners to come over the next few days, Mullins will be looking to add significantly to that tally over the rest of the Cheltenham Festival.
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Willie Mullins not thrilled by ITV question at Cheltenham
State Man was Willie Mullins' big winner on Tuesday, claiming the day's big prize in the Champion Hurdle.
He did so convincingly, although many felt that result could have been different were Constitution Hill in the field, with the English-trained horse having won convincingly when both horses faced off in this same race in 2023.
The Nicky Henderson trained horse was pulled from the field on the back of a recent poor workout at Kempton.
Constitution Hill trails behind his two stablemates at Kempton pic.twitter.com/jY8Ds4DDqZ
— Jack Keene (@jkeene124) February 27, 2024
Henderson would go on to say that the horse was not in the right physical condition to compete at Cheltenham this week.
Appearing on ITV, Willie Mullins was asked rather cheekily by presenter Matt Chapman about State Man's heavy beating at the hands of Constitution Hill last year. It didn't seem to go down all that well.
"You've got to turn up to win a Champion Hurdle. 𝐖𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩."
Willie Mullins 💬 pic.twitter.com/qLASWqwefp— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2024
Chapman: He got, as we know, annihilated by Consitution Hill last year. People will look at the third here, Luccia, not very far behind you. Do you think he produces his best on this track?
Mullins: Probably not. He's probably a better horse around Lopeardstown, but he's still a champion Hurdler.
Chapman: If Constitution Hill was fit and well, would you relish a clash at Punchestown?
Mullins: You've got to turn up to win a Champion Hurdle. We turned up.
To suggest that a horse is not at their best at Cheltenham a matter of moments after winning one of the biggest races of the festival is certainly an odd look.
Willie Mullins gave it the answer it deserved.
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