National Hunt racing fans will be struggling through the summer months but there’s plenty to look forward to already. Willie Mullins might already have a serious Cheltenham Festival contender and he’s been raving about one horse in particular.
He has a stranglehold on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and could win it once again in 2026. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Davy Crockett is out of Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power and his half-brother, Mystical Power, finished second in the 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Unbeaten in two starts so far, he made the perfect start to life over hurdles when winning at Galway.
Mullins was very impressed with him and you can tell that he’s a big fan of the horse. The trainer said: “I thought his jumping was just brilliant. For a horse to go straight from a bumper into a novice hurdle and jump like that on his first try over hurdles was something else.”
There should be loads more to come as that was his first start over hurdles and second in total. His trainer added: “He made that one mistake at the second-last, but the way he picked up after that left me in no doubt that he is a fast-improving horse and could be a proper one.”
With regards to short term targets, Mullins is giving him plenty of time. He said: “There are a few novice hurdles coming up and he could go to one of these, but I might give him time to strengthen up at home instead and give him a chance to become a proper horse. I’d say that’s what we will do.”
Wherever we next see this impeccably bred gelding, there will be plenty of interested parties. The four-year-old is already second favourite for the Supreme in March and big things will be expected.
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