4 minutes Ballyburn Proves He's the One to Beat at the Upcoming Cheltenham Festival
So, the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle, which is pretty much the highlight reel of novice hurdles leading up to the big dance at Cheltenham Festival in March, was snagged by none other than a horse trained by the legendary Willie Mullins. The horse in the spotlight? Ballyburn. This guy is not just any horse; he's a powerhouse son of Flemensfirth, backed by Ronnie Bartlett and David Manasseh. Ballyburn was stepping into the big leagues, Grade 1, for the very first time, and boy, did he have a reputation to live up to. After missing out on Cheltenham, he had already turned heads by winning the JP & M Doyle Flat Race at the Punchestown Festival in late April, stamping his mark as one of Mullins' top-notch bumper horses from the previous season.
But, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Ballyburn. His start over the hurdles was, let's say, a bit rocky. Picture this: he was the hot favorite at 10/11 in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle early December, only to get bested by Firefox. However, like any good underdog story, he bounced back. And not just with a win, but with a whopping 25-length victory at Leopardstown during the Christmas Festival, making a statement over two and a half miles.
Then came the DRF, and with it, a drop back to two miles which had everyone asking: could Paul Townend and Ballyburn handle the pressure? Well, they answered loud and clear. Even with the final flight taken out because of the low sun, which turned the race into a bit more of a stamina test, they nailed it. Ballyburn, chilling in second early behind Boher Road, smoothly took the lead and, alongside Slade Steel, dominated the race. Townend, in his element, pushed Ballyburn right after the second-last hurdle, showcasing an impressive burst of speed around the omitted obstacle and securing a seven-length win that probably didn't even do justice to how much he owned the race that day.
Now, let's talk about the buzz around Ballyburn post-race. The word "impressive" hardly covers it. The betting markets were all over him, placing him as a top contender for both the Sky Bet Supreme and the Baring Bingham at Cheltenham. His odds were so good, you'd think he was already a festival legend, with prices going as low as 5/4 for the Festival opener. And after that maiden hurdle win? Even tighter odds for the Baring Bingham, making it clear this horse was the one to watch.
But what about the Cheltenham Festival itself? Willie Mullins was keeping his cards close to his chest, understandably so. With a stable full of talent including Mystical Power and the addition of Nicky Henderson's Jeriko Du Reponet into the mix, decisions had to be made. Ballyburn's owners playfully teased about running him in the Albert Bartlett, a race he's not even entered in, keeping everyone guessing about their next move.
After the dust settled from the weekend's excitement, the debate was on. While Ballyburn's win was more commanding than those of past legends like Vautour and Appreciate It, some wondered if this year's novices could really measure up. The race had its moments of drama, like Absurde making a surprise push and Farren Glory not living up to expectations. And with the final hurdle missing, some speculated it made Ballyburn's win look more dominant than it might have been otherwise.
So, where does Ballyburn go from here? Well, when you have a horse this versatile and talented, it's like deciding where to take your Ferrari out for a spin. Mullins has a history of playing his cards right at Cheltenham, and Ballyburn has made it clear he's a force to be reckoned with, regardless of the race. But as always, nothing's certain until the day of the race.
In essence, Ballyburn's performance was a standout moment that has set the stage for an exciting run-up to the Cheltonham Festival. Whether he'll live up to the hype or face new challengers remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure – he's the horse on everyone's lips.
Cheltenham Festival Odds
Ballyburn - 6/4
Mystical Power - 3/1