Danny Mullins: Saldier has all the ingredients to dazzle in the Champion Hurdle

Danny Mullins says Saldier screamed Champion Hurdle contender when handing him the eighth Grade 1 victory of his career in the Morgiana at Punchestown last Saturday, and is not one bit surprised to see him joint-favourite for the feature event on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival next March.

Saldier is as short as 9-2 for the Unibet Champion Hurdle with Paddy Power after bursting the bubble of Supreme winner Klassical Dream last weekend, and Mullins is convinced he has all the necessary attributes to make him a leading player at Cheltenham.

Saldier: bagged his second Grade 1 at PunchestownCredit: Alain Barr

Mullins, who is a nephew of champion trainer Willie, would know what it takes to win a Champion Hurdle too, as he was on board Arctic Fire when he chased home Faugheen in the 2015 Champion Hurdle and also partnered the ill-fated Our Conor in the 2014 edition.

"I was just thinking about the three of them the other day – Arctic Fire, Our Conor and Saldier – and I'd say Saldier is the one who might cope best with the challenges a Champion Hurdle presents," Danny Mullins said.

"They are three very, very different horses. Our Conor had loads of potential. He was a bubbly four-year-old. Arctic Fire needed a strong pace to aim at. You were locked into riding him like that. Saldier is equipped to deal with whatever a race throws up. He settles well and, when you give him a kick in the belly he comes alive.

"When I really needed him to jump on Saturday, he jumped like a proper Champion Hurdle contender, he really did. That was a serious performance on Saturday and, no, I'm not surprised to see him joint-favourite for the Champion Hurdle.

"Klassical Dream won a few Grade 1s as a novice and Sharjah is a good horse too, so he has beaten the best of what is on this side of the Irish Sea. Obviously Buveur D'Air is a very worthy contender being a winner of two Champion Hurdles already.

Danny Mullins' Grade 1 winners

November 2019:Saldier, Morgiana Hurdle, Punchestown
October 2017:Mr. Hot Stuff, American Grand National, Far Hills
December 2016:Airlie Beach, Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Fairyhouse
February 2016:Footpad, Spring Juvenile Hurdle, Leopardstown
April 2015:Felix Yonger, Boylesports Champion Chase, Punchestown
December 2013:The Tullow Tank, Future Champions Novice Hurdle, Leopardstown
December 2013:The Tullow Tank, Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Fairyhouse
April 2013:Mount Benbulben, Growise Champion Novice Chase, Punchestown

Reflecting on Saldier's 7-1 success on Saturday, Mullins said: "The way he quickened up the straight really impressed me. When I got upsides Paul [Townend, on Klassical Dream] he gave a blow but I knew when I got a good jump at the last I had Paul covered.

"I suppose you could point to the track being a factor too. Saldier won a Grade 1 at Punchestown as a juvenile, so he was on home territory. If the two horses clash again at Leopardstown, Klassical Dream will have home advantage. He has won twice there already."

Townend is the undisputed number one at Closutton but Mullins would not been too disheartened if he stayed loyal to Klassical Dream in the rematch at Leopardstown on December 29 in the Ryanair Hurdle.

"Paul will obviously have the choice if they both show up at Leopardstown, but I'd love to ride Saldier again. He is an up-and-coming horse and I think there's still loads of improvement to come," Mullins added.

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