Ballyburn Takes on Gallagher Novices

Willie Mullins' Decision Directs Ante-Post Betting Markets

One of the principal questions in the lead-up to next week's Cheltenham Festival has at last been answered – Ballyburn will compete in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' latest potential sensation has overshadowed the novice hurdle division since his overwhelming victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, topping ante-post lists for both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle over two miles on the opening day and the day two opener over five furlongs more.

Mullins has oscillated on which race he believed would be more suitable for the six-year-old, but it appears he has finally decided on the longer race.

Speaking to the Racing Post on Thursday, Mullins said: "Ballyburn seems very well and I’ve been happy with him over the last week, so all being well he will go for the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle. Mystical Power and Tullyhill will go for the Supreme."

Ballyburn is now priced at no more than 8-13 for the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle with the announcement influencing ante-post markets as bettors attempted to deduce the impact this decision would have on the racing plans for other horses.

Such is the dominance of Mullins' stable – he accounts for nine of the 15 remaining in the Supreme and 13 of the 24 still in contention for the Gallagher – that the choice of race for Ballyburn has had a ripple effect on several others.

Given that Mystical Power is owned by JP McManus and thus will be ridden by Mark Walsh, it suggests Mullins' lead jockey Paul Townend will most likely team up with Tullyhill in the opening race of the 2024 festival.

That duo, together with the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox, are at the forefront of the reconfigured Supreme market. Mystical Power and Firefox, who surpassed Ballyburn in a maiden at Fairyhouse over two miles in December, are priced at no more than 7-2, while Tullyhill is available at a best price of 4-1.

As Ballyburn keeps his Supreme entry until the final declarations on Sunday morning, most bookmakers still offer odds of no more than evens for him in their non-runner money back markets, should there be an unexpected reversal over the weekend.

This also implies that the Lawlor's of Naas runner-up, Ile Atlantique, who still has entries in both races, appears poised to be the stable's secondary choice behind Ballyburn, as he is currently the 5-1 second favourite for the Gallagher and the 14-1 seventh selection of the bookmakers in the Supreme market.

Betfair have Ballyburn priced at 7-2  and spokesperson Michael Shinners remarked:

"Ballyburn has dominated both races since his win at Christmas and he's only got shorter since his romp at the Dublin Racing Festival.

"He's into 4-7 with us for the Gallagher and it's 5-1 Ile Atlantique. Then you have Mystical Power, Slade Steel and Readin Tommy Wrong who they could all go elsewhere because of Ballyburn. He's already one of the shortest-priced favourites, but if others defect because of him he could go off even shorter.

"In the Supreme we're 3-1 Mystical Power, 7-2 Firefox, 4-1 Tullyhill and 11-2 Slade Steel. Interestingly, there was some money for Tullyhill, but that might be premature. I think people may have latched onto the fact Paul Townend will ride him, but you would expect Mark Walsh to be on Mystical Power as he's owned by JP McManus, so that isn't necessarily reflective that he's the number one."

And Shinners pointed to the fact the Supreme was a more competitive race without Ballyburn looming over it, adding: "We'd have loved to have had him in the Sky Bet Supreme because he has that wow factor and is a potential superstar, but his defection to the other race does make it a lot more competitive.

"Historically the Tuesday has had a lot of short-priced favourites, and we still have that in the Champion Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle, but with Marine Nationale [was aimed at the Arkle] injured and Ballyburn not running it looks more open than it did a week ago. 

"It looks like the Wednesday could be the day this year with Ballyburn, Fact To File and El Fabiolo. I dare say that Mullins treble will be popular."