‘To me he looks a chaser’ – Willie Mullins drops huge hint on future target of Cheltenham Festival winner Ballyburn
He's one of the most popular ante-post punts
WILLIE MULLINS played his typical tantalising game with punters in a stable tour of his biggest stars – but suggested that, if he had his own way, Ballyburn would be going over fences.
Last season’s incredible Ballymore winner is top of the market for the 2m Arkle and 3m Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
Beaten just once in seven races under rules he has looked every inch a monster and the one punters are desperate to know more about.
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Mullins gave absolutely nothing away on the whole when speaking to .
But he did hint that, if he had his way, he would probably lean to going over the bigger obstacles.
Ballyburn is currently 11-4 for the Arkle and 6-1 for the Brown Advisory, while he remains 12-1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Mullins said: “I’m very happy with him. I haven’t had a chance to chat to (owners) Ronnie Bartlett or Dave Manasseh about his direction this year, but he can go both directions.
“He probably has to find a good half stone or more to be Champion Hurdle class.
“We’ll have to have that conversation in a short while.
“He jumps well and to me he looks a chaser but he’s obviously very sharp over his hurdles as well.
“We’ll have to leave that decision for the next few weeks.”
Meanwhile, Mullins has confirmed Lossiemouth’s definite target for the season ahead.
She is all set to join State Man in the Champion Hurdle – where they will likely clash with Constitution Hill.
The latter impressed in a behind-closed-doors Newbury gallop earlier this week.
He will make his comeback in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth next month, while Lossiemouth will take aim at the day two feature of the Festival.
Defending champ State Man looks set to follow his traditional route throughout the course of the season.
Mullins said: “I’d imagine he’ll probably go for the Morgiana and then the usual route of Leopardstown at Christmas, Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Hurdle and then Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle.
“It’s worked every year and he’s a good, solid, straightforward horse who doesn’t do anything flashy but gets the job done.”
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