Willie Mullins confirms Ballyburn set to run in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle leaving Supreme market wide open

One of the major questions in the build-up to next week's Cheltenham Festival finally has an answer – Ballyburn will run in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' latest potential star has loomed over the novice hurdle division since his demolition job at the Dublin Racing Festival, heading ante-post lists for both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle over two miles on the opening day and the day two opener over five furlongs further.

Mullins has gone back and forth on which race he felt would better suit the six-year-old, but he seems to have finally settled on the longer race.

Speaking to the Racing Post on Thursday, Mullins said: "Ballyburn seems very well and I’ve been happy with him over the last week, so all being well he will go for the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle. Mystical Power and Tullyhill will go for the Supreme."

Ballyburn is no bigger than 8-13 for the Gallagher, with the news affecting ante-post markets as punters tried to interpret the impact the decision would have on the running plans for other horses.

Such is the strength of Mullins' hand – he is responsible for nine of the 15 left in the Supreme and 13 of the 24 remaining in the Gallagher – that the decision on where to place Ballyburn had a knock-on effect on several others.

Mystical Power: now set to head Willie Mullins' Supreme teamCredit: Patrick McCann

With Mystical Power owned by JP McManus and therefore ridden by Mark Walsh, it means Mullins' stable jockey Paul Townend will most likely partner Tullyhill in the opening race of the 2024 festival.

That pair, along with the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox, are towards the head of the reshaped Supreme market. Mystical Power and Firefox, who beat Ballyburn in a maiden at Fairyhouse over two miles in December, are no bigger than 7-2 while Tullyhill is a best-priced 4-1. 

As Ballyburn retains his Supreme entry until final declarations are made on Sunday morning, most bookmakers still have him no bigger than evens in their non-runner money back markets should there be an unlikely U-turn over the weekend. 

It also means Lawlor's of Naas runner-up Ile Atlantique, who still holds an entry in both races, looks set to be the stable's second string behind Ballyburn as he is now 5-1 second favourite for the Gallagher and the 14-1 seventh choice of the bookmakers in the Supreme market.

Sky Bet sponsor the opening race of the festival, which is now 7-2 the field, and spokesperson Michael Shinners said: "Ballyburn has dominated both races since his win at Christmas and he's only got shorter since his romp at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Willie Mullins: starting to finalise his plans for next week's Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's into 4-7 with us for the Gallagher and it's 5-1 Ile Atlantique. Then you have Mystical Power, Slade Steel and Readin Tommy Wrong who they could all go elsewhere because of Ballyburn. He's already one of the shortest-priced favourites, but if others defect because of him he could go off even shorter.

"In the Supreme we're 3-1 Mystical Power, 7-2 Firefox, 4-1 Tullyhill and 11-2 Slade Steel. Interestingly, there was some money for Tullyhill, but that might be premature. I think people may have latched onto the fact Paul Townend will ride him, but you would expect Mark Walsh to be on Mystical Power as he's owned by JP McManus, so that isn't necessarily reflective that he's the number one."

And Shinners pointed to the fact the Supreme was a more competitive race without Ballyburn looming over it, adding: "We'd have loved to have had him in the Sky Bet Supreme because he has that wow factor and is a potential superstar, but his defection to the other race does make it a lot more competitive.

"Historically the Tuesday has had a lot of short-priced favourites, and we still have that in the Champion Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle, but with Marine Nationale [was aimed at the Arkle] injured and Ballyburn not running it looks more open than it did a week ago. 

"It looks like the Wednesday could be the day this year with Ballyburn, Fact To File and El Fabiolo. I dare say that Mullins treble will be popular."

Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30, Tuesday)
Ladbrokes: 3 Mystical Power, 7-2 Firefox, 4 Tullyhill, 6 Jeriko Du Reponet, Slade Steel, 10 Ile Atlantique, Mistergif, 16 bar.

Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (1.30, Wednesday)
Paddy Power: 4-7 Ballyburn, 5 Ile Atlantique, 6 Slade Steel, 8 Predators Gold, 10 Readin Tommy Wrong, 12 Handstands, Gidleigh Park, 16 bar.

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