Mullins sets out festival stall

Willie Mullins has confirmed the talented duo Sadlers Wings and Mister Hight are in training with the long-term goal of competing at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins is hopeful the former will emerge into a Champion Hurdle contender after he finished sixth behind Fundamentalist in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle last year.

Sadlers Wings, who has won four of his six races over timber, has not been seen since finishing fourth in a Grade Two race in Auteuil in May 2004.

However, Mullins said: “I’m hoping he might make up into a Champion Hurdle candidate this season.

“He’s got plenty of ability but I just wonder sometimes whether he leaves his races behind in the parade ring.

“He’s a bit more experienced now and if we can just get him to settle down before a race, I really think we will see his true ability.”

Meanwhile, Mullins is confident Mister Hight can justify his 14-1 ante-post quote about winning next year’s Triumph Hurdle.

The three-year-old has yet to make his bow over timber but has won his last two races on the Flat at Leopardstown and Navan.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Mister Hight go over hurdles,” added the County Carlow handler.

“He has handled soft ground really well on the Flat and hopefully he can make up into a Triumph Hurdle horse. He’ll be ready to run soon.”