Mystical Power outshines Jeriko Du Reponet with its impressive strength and Supreme claims

It’s mid-January and the question of which horse Willie Mullins will train for the Cheltenham Festival is still unanswered. In recent years, Mullins has had great success at the festival, winning five of the last nine runnings. However, this year is proving to be more uncertain. Facile Vega, once seen as a potential contender, was beaten at Christmas and is now priced at 10-1. Blood Destiny was then thought to be the next choice, but after a disappointing performance at Punchestown, it’s hard to have any confidence in him for Cheltenham, especially considering his poor showing in the Triumph last year as well.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Mullins’ horse, there are other contenders worth considering for the festival. A novice trained by Gordon Elliott is worth a look for the County Hurdle, especially now that non-runner no bet is in play. Additionally, bookies might have misjudged the favorite for the Brown Advisory, as Broadway Boy’s form indicates that he was pushed out to 20-1 without good reason. Another Gordon Elliott horse had a significant form boost over the weekend and could be a worthwhile bet at 12-1 for Cheltenham.

The Gold Cup picture is also unclear and muddled at the moment. With no clear favorite, it’s important not to overlook strong stayers like the one priced at 33-1.

In conclusion, while Mullins’ horse choice remains uncertain, there are other contenders worth considering for the Cheltenham Festival, particularly those trained by Gordon Elliott.