'We're delighted with her' - Elimay and Billaway aim to follow Cheltenham wins

Friday: Punchestown

State Man, Billaway and Elimay all played their part in contributing to Willie Mullins' record-breaking Cheltenham Festival-winning haul of ten on Gold Cup Day, and the trio could combine again for more festival Friday magic.

Mullins is set to saddle six favourites on the eight-race card with only the opening hunter chase (3.40), where he is without a runner, and the Champion Hurdle (5.25), which is Honeysuckle's to lose, races in which the Closutton trainer does not dominate the market.

Elimay wrapped up a fantastic Friday five-timer for Mullins at Cheltenham when last seen and could make it back-to-back Grade 2 wins in the mares chase (4.50), if confirming the form with Scarlet And Dove.

Elimay already has a Punchestown success in the book, although that came in novice hurdle in 2019, with the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old a beaten favourite on her last visit to the track.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said of the grey: "She's been great. We're delighted with her. She did well to win at Cheltenham, Willie is happy with her and we're hoping for a big run tomorrow."

It looked that Cheltenham may be the only chink in Billaway’s armour, but he finally broke his duck at Prestbury Park, as despite trading at a high of 20-1 in-running, the ten-year-old responded to Patrick Mullins' urges to break the heart of Winged Leader on the line.

Billaway: won the Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Five rivals stand in his way in the Irish Daily Star Champion Hunters Chase (6.35), with the younger and progressive Vaucelet set to provide stiff opposition. The seven-year-old is enjoying a memorable season for David Christie, who also trains Winged Leader, and will be out to avenge that Cheltenham heartbreak.

Vaucelet bolted up by 20 lengths at Fairyhouse just under a fortnight ago and Billaway's jockey Patrick Mullins is aware of the threat he faces.

Mullins said: "Billaway had a hard race at Cheltenham, but we gave him an easy time and he seems to be very well. He was just beaten in this race last year, but we're very happy with our horse. The obvious danger is David Christie's newcomer Vaucelet."

Mullins will be looking to round off the evening with El Fabiolo, who pushed Jonbon all the way in a Grade 1 at Aintree last time out, in the penultimate novice hurdle (7.10) and Don Chalant in the bumper.

Friday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Fact-finding Derby mission for connections of small-field Newmarket Stakes

3.15 Goodwood: Could we see another future Group 1 winner in this red-hot Listed race?

3.35 Newmarket: Jetsetting Yibir returns to the green grass of home - what is his main danger?

4.15 Punchestown: 'His second to Stattler reads very well' - Fighter could frank stablemate's form

5.25 Punchestown: 'He could give her a fright' - can anyone dethrone the mighty Honeysuckle?

6.00 Punchestown: Mullins-trained Champion Hurdle prospect sets the standard in top novice event

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