Willie Mullins pulls four horses out of Cheltenham Festival including Gold Cup hope who’s a ‘natural’ over fences
Willie Mullins pulls four horses out of Cheltenham Festival including Gold Cup hope who’s a ‘natural’ over fences
Share:
WILLIE MULLINS has pulled four of his horses out of Cheltenham Festival - including a Gold Cup hope who's a 'natural' over fences. The Closutton boss trimmed down his squad for next month's meeting at today's latest scratching stage. One of the big names to miss out on a trip to Prestbury Park is recent grade 3 winner Embassy Gardens. The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only).
![[A jockey on a horse jumping a hurdle during a horse race.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/38ca6707-94b1-47be-ae62-a2164a6293db.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get... Become a member today for just £1*. *For the first month then £3 per month thereafter. SIGN UP NOW. 18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. UK only. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk. The nine-year-old gelding gave a five-length thrashing to the hugely respected Monty's Star on his first run of the season at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Victory in the hot contest won previously by Gold Cup heroes including Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo was followed with a sixth-place finish in last weekend's Irish Gold Cup. Embassy Gardens, who is owned by Sean and Bernardine Mulryan, only lost ten-and-a-half lengths to Galopin Des Champs. But his place in the Gold Cup field - for which he had been as short as 25-1 - was scrapped by Mullins, as was his position in the Ryanair.
Mullins also pulled last year's bet365 Gold Cup winner Minella Cocooner from his Gold Cup team. A real stayer, the 3m2f of the Gold Cup trip might even prove too short for the 25-1 Grand National chance, who could on his way straight to Aintree off a mark of 154. Mullins has the 1-2 Gold Cup favourite in the shape of the awesome Galopin Des Champs. He was untouchable in winning a third straight Irish Gold Cup and looks like being the banker of the week at the Festival.
Elsewhere, Mullins also took two horses out of the Champion Chase. Gentleman De Mee, the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old who finished a length runner-up in the race last year is out, as is Blue Lord. Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's ten-year-old last tasted success in the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase right back in December 2022. A responsible gambler is someone who:. Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
