Cilaos Emery leads Mullins assault on Champion Hurdle

With Klassical Dream and Saldier both ruled out earlier in the season because of injury, the Irish champion trainer decided to supplement Cilaos Emery after he successfully reverted to hurdles from fences in last month’s Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Ailish Byrne and Sharjah on the gallops ahead of the Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park which kicks-off today. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins has saddled four of the last nine winners of the Champion Hurdle, and this year fires a twin assault in the opening day feature.