Black Box Racing: Cheltenham Festival Portfolio
Willie Mullins has entered just three in the Stayers’ Hurdle: Winter Fog - who’s been found wanting in the top grades, Asterion Forlonge - who he knows probably doesn’t stay the trip, despite a win over 3m, and MYSTICAL POWER. The latter is a runner-up from last year’s Supreme who followed up with Grade 1 novice wins at Aintree and Punchestown, but who has disappointed in his two runs in Grade 1 open company this season. But the fact they’ve not gone and tried 2m4f yet and ONLY entered him in this race at the Festival (handicap entries aren’t out yet), it strongly suggests to me that they really do think he’s going to improve for the trip AND be competitive at it. For me it probably hinges on him appreciating a slower pace than he’s faced in the open Grade 1s over 2m he’s been chucked into this season, and as a novice he certainly looked a type that was strong at the finish and capable of staying further.
Essentially this is a price-based play, we’re getting 25-1 about Willie Mullins’s more fancied (?) runner in the race, who is a Grade 1 winner with Cheltenham Festival form to boot. With NRNB it makes Mystical Power a cracking bet to small stakes.
0.5 point ew MYSTICAL POWER, Stayers’ Hurdle NRNB »> 25-1