Willie Mullins Cheltenham column: Preview of Friday runners
16:10 Billaway
Has three good runs in this race, finishing second twice and winning it last year. He’s a horse that takes a lot of riding and the new whip rules won’t be an advantage to Patrick, this fellow takes a lot of cajoling. He’ll be there or thereabouts but might just have to give away to the younger brigade.
16:50 Allegorie De Vassy
Comes here after two spectacular wins, she’s in good form and showed she handles this ground at Limerick. A lack of experience is our only negative, but she has the ability.
16:50 Elimay
Won the race last year but hasn’t had the greatest preparation this time around. She has the experience which will count for a lot and she needed the runs we’ve given her this term. She could get into the money.
16:50 Dolcita
Has good experience around Cheltenham but on the face of it might not have the class to win this but jumps well and has a chance of picking up some money.
17:30 Haxo
Finished sixth in the Ballymore last year so handles the track and the ground will be fine. He’s a tough horse and Kieran’s ridden him before. He’s a lively each-way horse.
17:30 Saylavee
An interesting one. She has up and down form and probably needs things to go right and might need a longer trip. Testing conditions could bring her into the race though.
17:30 Spanish Harlem
A real chasing type who will need to improve to win this, but he has the experience for it now and the ground will be a big help. He fits the right profile of our Martin Pipe winners, a novice going into a handicap, he has every chance, but I think he’s more a horse for next year or the year after rather than a competitive handicap today.
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