Where will the Willie Mullins-trained novice hurdlers end up at Cheltenham?

Willie Mullins seems to have an endless supply of top novice hurdlers at his disposal but the big question is where are they all going to end up? David Jennings has a stab at predicting where they will run at the Cheltenham Festival in March . . .

Facile Vega

Unbeaten and highly likely to lead the team of Closutton novice hurdlers out to bat in the Supreme. After his victory in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, I asked Mullins whether he was going to stick to 2m with last season's Champion Bumper winner to which he replied: "I wouldn't be looking for anything else." Enough said.

DJ's predicted festival target: Supreme (best price 10-11)

Impaire Et Passe

Made his Irish debut over 2m3f on soft ground at Naas last month and he certainly wasn't stopping at the end of it. Had no problem with the drop to 2m in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday but Mullins gave me the impression he was keener to go up in trip rather than stay at that distance.

DJ's predicted festival target: Ballymore (best price 6-1)

Champ Kiely: a hopeful for the Ballymore perhapsCredit: Patrick McCann

Champ Kiely

Hold-up tactics didn't work in the Royal Bond but the switch to his customary front-running role over 2m4f did the trick in the Lawlor's Of Naas this month. He has experience and would look a big player in the Ballymore. It is very hard to see him ending up anywhere else.

DJ's predicted festival target: Ballymore (best price 6-1)

Gaelic Warrior

Had his third run over hurdles at Clonmel on Tuesday and won again with minimum of fuss. Rated 134 in Ireland at the moment and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise were he to take up his entry in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury next month. He is just 7-2 with the sponsors for that and is very good over the minimum trip but could be even better over further and perhaps the Coral Cup would be an ideal target at the festival if Mullins runs Impaire Et Passe and Champ Kiely in the Ballymore.

DJ's predicted festival target: Coral Cup (best price 7-1)

Dark Raven

Returned from a 631-day layoff to land a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and did so in emphatic fashion too. If Mullins is well represented in the Ballymore, perhaps Dark Raven could be the one to join Facile Vega in the Supreme.

DJ's predicted festival target: Supreme (best price 33-1)

Il Etait Temps

Was too raw and immature to do himself justice as a juvenile hurdler but looks more grown up this season. Backed up an easy Thurles maiden hurdle win at 1-7 by chasing home Facile Vega at Leopardstown. Now rated 144 and has the experience for a County Hurdle with five runs under his belt. The frantic early gallop there could help him settle and play to his strengths. He will be best with cover.

DJ's predicted festival target: County Hurdle (best price 16-1)

Hunters Yarn

Already has three runs under his belt so could be one for the Martin Pipe. Unlikely to be rated higher than 145 having been beaten in his first two hurdle races.

DJ's predicted festival target: Martin Pipe (best price 14-1)

Lossiemouth: Triumph favourite looks the real dealCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Lossiemouth

Has been flawless in everything she has done since switching to Mullins. A worthy favourite for the Triumph Hurdle and you could easily argue she is value at 11-8.

DJ's predicted festival target: Triumph Hurdle (best price 11-8)

Blood Destiny

Runaway winner at Fairyhouse on Saturday and slashed for the Triumph Hurdle afterwards. The wide-margin win would rule out the Boodles, one would imagine, and he looks Lossiemouth's main danger. The two of those look head and shoulders above everything else in the division right now.

DJ's predicted festival target: Triumph Hurdle (best price 5-1)

Tekao

A beaten favourite in a Navan maiden hurdle but made amends next time at Leopardstown when doing well to win having been very keen. Would look an ideal Boodles type.

DJ's predicted festival target: Boodles Juvenile Hurdle (9-1 best price)

Grangeclare West

Surrendered his unbeaten record in the Lawlor's Of Naas and Paul Townend was adamant afterwards that he didn't run his race. He was found to be coughing when examined by the vet. Mullins has any amount of option for the Ballymore but not for the Albert Bartlett so that is where this chap might be heading. He should stay and has a touch of class.

DJ's predicted festival target: Albert Bartlett (best price 20-1)

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