Ballyburn looked like a superstar last year - but how will he cope with new territory in the Brown Advisory?

Ballyburn might have won a point-to-point in Ireland at three miles, but it’s a different kettle of fish staying that far and a little bit more in a Grade 1 race at the Cheltenham Festival and this event has largely been dominated by dour stayers down the years, not class acts like him.

From Willie Mullins's own Rule Supreme to Denman, Bobs Worth, Lord Windermere, Don Poli and Champ, each was laden with stamina and Ballyburn couldn’t be more different. He is an enthusiastic galloper who seems to do everything easily, but will he do too much too early?

He took a keen hold over three-furlongs shorter at Leopardstown last month but still finished his race like a train and brushed aside Croke Park, who had briefly headed him at the last. Ballyburn went off at 8-13, but touched nearly 5-2 in running as it looked like he would fold.

Maybe it was sheer class that pulled Ballyburn through or is it that he has actually been in need of a stiffer test all along? After all, he was made to look slow by the genuine two-mile speed shown by Sir Gino around Kempton’s tight turns over Christmas, coming up way short.

All the questions should be answered here but if you’re looking for clues that he will stay the distance then there are some in his pedigree. He has seven brothers and four of them got this far or further, while another stayed two and three-quarter miles. He is bred to get the trip.

Ballyburn storms clear of his rivals to win the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle last yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

There is also an argument that this race is changing in nature and not the slog that it was once renowned for being. Two of the last four winners, L’Homme Presse and Fact To File, had yet to race over three miles under rules and Fact To File is dropping back in trip for the Ryanair this season.

It’s also quite likely that the race might end up being run with Ballyburn’s best interests in mind. Mullins has four of the seven runners in the line up and trains the biggest danger in Dancing City, so like a top Formula One outfit he could control the pace with team tactics.

Dancing City is the certain stayer in the line-up and his only hope is to draw the speed out of his stablemate by pushing the pace along with his other front-running stablemates Lecky Watson and Quai De Bourbon, ensuring a test of stamina. But is that what Mullins wants?

Only the great man will be able to answer that question, but it could be the key to the outcome. If they dawdle along and Ballyburn settles into a rhythm, then he will hit the accelerator off the home bend and it will be good night Vienna in a relative test of speed.

That’s the most likely scenario in my mind because a stronger pace to test stamina would bring the possibility of Mullins not winning the race at all. Gordon Elliott trains proven stayers Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, and a fast-run race brings them into it.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Is Ballyburn as good as we thought?

Only an elite band of horses have landed a Grade 1 at Cheltenham with the authority Ballyburn did last season as he flew 13 lengths clear of the field in the then Gallagher Novices' Hurdle. But it has not been plain sailing since, prompting the question: is he the superstar everyone thought?

His chase career got off to the perfect start at Punchestown before he dropped back to two miles to take on the supremely talented Sir Gino at Kempton. But he couldn't live with Nicky Henderson's star, coming home seven and a half lengths adrift.

The step up in trip at the Dublin Racing Festival was expected to suit based on his novice hurdle campaign and on pedigree and so it proved as he produced a potent kick after the last to power five lengths clear of Croke Park.

A further increase in distance poses another question, but his groom Donal Redmond expects it to suit and he has faith Ballyburn is every bit as good as he looked last year.

"He travelled over well and is fresh and well in himself, there isn't a bother on him," he said. "With the low head carriage, he can look a bit keen and awkward sometimes but 99 per cent of the time he's fine and he's not a particularly keen horse. He's bullish sometimes, but laid-back in general.

Ballyburn (far side) got up on the run-in at the Dublin Racing FestivalCredit: Caroline Norris

"It was breathtaking what he did last year and if he can repeat that, we'd be delighted. Two miles was probably too short for him at Kempton and Sir Gino is an exceptional horse. I thought he actually ran well against him and it sharpened up his jumping, especially going at that speed. 

"When he went up in trip at Leopardstown, it really suited him. He's crying out for the trip on pedigree so hopefully he can run a big race."

When asked is he in the same form he was 12 months ago, Redmond reported that he's in typical buoyant humour.

He added: "I think he's as good as he was last year, he's his usual bullish self and it can only be good to see him that way."

Former jockey Davy Russell, who steered home the winner of this race three times, including Lord Windermere (2013) the year before he landed the Gold Cup, nominated him as one of the horses he's most looking forward to this week.

Russell said: "I'd love a go on him. He's a gorgeous horse, a real old-fashioned type of chaser and, if I were riding him, I would drop him in. I wouldn't get involved in anything for about two miles and then creep my way into him. Give him a chance to relax and let him jump away. I genuinely can't see him beaten."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Ballyburn, Dancing City, Lecky Watson and Quai De Bourbon
To come

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story
There wasn't a lot between them when they met at Navan, but I thought Better Days Ahead wasn't doing a stroke when he was in front there. He loves having something to aim at and he will get something to aim at here. I've thought all season this race was made for him. Stellar Story is a festival winner already and he's a strong stayer. He's definitely got a chance. I think they both will run big races.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Gorgeous Tom
He flew home when a close fourth in the Drinmore and hopefully this trip on this ground will bring out the best in him.
Reporting by Conor Fennelly

Read more on the Cheltenham Festival...

1.20 Cheltenham: Will the dismal record of Challow Hurdle winners be ended by The New Lion - or will he be tamed by Final Demand? 

2.40 Cheltenham: 'It's massively competitive but I think he's got a good chance' - Dan Skelton, Willie Mullins and more on the Coral Cup 

3.20 Cheltenham: 'He's really taken to the banks, I just hope the weight doesn't beat him' - key quotes and analysis for the Glenfarclas Chase 

4.00 Cheltenham: 'Controlled aggression' - why De Boinville tactics hold key to Jonbon's bid to break his festival duck in Champion Chase 

4.40 Cheltenham: 'I think the race is made for him' - crucial trainer insight and analysis for the unpredictable Grand Annual 

5.20 Cheltenham: Willie Mullins mob-handed to extend phenomenal Champion Bumper record - but has his stable jockey picked the right one? 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.