Ricci: Champion Hurdle option has to be discussed for mare Limini

A decision on whether Limini will be supplemented for the Stan James Champion Hurdle is likely to depend on how she works but is unlikely to be made before the March 8 entry deadline.

Rich Ricci, whose wife Susannah owns the mare, confirmed switching Limini from the OLBG Mares' Hurdle to the Champion, a move which worked with Annie Power, was being considered following her midweek defeat of Apple's Jade at Punchestown.

He also indicated the Mares' Hurdle was the most likely target for Vroum Vroum Mag, who holds entries in six Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles and fences.

"Limini was very good," said Ricci. "The Champion Hurdle has to be discussed. We were successful last year with it. It's a wide open Champion Hurdle.

"If you fancy Buveur D'Air you probably have to really think about running on her performance at Aintree and the fact she has come on again since. She is much bigger and stronger.

"We haven't had a chat in any great detail. It will be a last minute thing. We'll have to see how she works and what she is working against. We'll make that call after that work."

There are a multitude of options for Vroum Vroum Mag but contesting a chase appears the least likely.

"I'm confused by Vroum Vroum Mag," Ricci said. "Last year I would have said she would probably get three miles and the Stayers' would be an option. This year she seems a lot keener in her races.

"Over two miles the last day clearly something was amiss. She is fine now but it wasn't particularly impressive. Two and a half feels like her trip but to get two miles at Cheltenham you need to get two and a half so I am very confused. I would imagine the natural race would be the mares' race.

"It depends how she's working. It's highly unlikely she will go back over fences. We have kept her there in case something happens to the big guns."

It has been an attritional season for the Ricci-Willie Mullins horses with Faugheen, Annie Power and Min all ruled out of the festival and Vautour suffering a fatal injury earlier in the year.

The Ricci horses were key to Ireland landing the BetBright Cup last year, the annual Britain v Ireland team competition at Cheltenham where the owners enjoyed five wins.

Ricci said that was unlikely to be repeated as he announced former England cricketer Phil Tufnell and Hector Ó hEochagáin, the broadcaster, as team captains for the event.

"We won't do that this year but if we can nick one or two that would be great," he said.

"Douvan has to be the one to look forward to. To my eye Douvan doesn't necessarily run his best race at Cheltenham but he is going there in great form and I'm hoping he can put up something pretty special.

"Djakadam has finished second twice in the Gold Cup so you can rightly question him but given his prep, given where he is, what the race is cutting up to be, I think he has a great chance. Let's Dance is an outstanding mare and she will most likely go for the mares' novice but she will have our best chance."