Mullins Squad Remains Strong Despite the recent high profile split with leading owners Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins is ready to embark on another jumps season which will undoubtedly lead to more records being shattered, Grade One wins aplenty and a fair sprinkling of joy at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The Closutton maestro has an enviable team of hurdlers at his disposal once again and the key question for Mullins could revolve around how to keep them apart over the coming months. Let's look at some of his talent. Annie Power Annie Power ©Healy Racing PhotosNow the Champion Hurdler, Annie Power only got the chance to run in the opening day Cheltenham Festival contest when Faugheen suffered an injury. Mullins' decision to run Annie Power in the two-mile Championship contest drew much scorn from well-informed judges who felt the mare would experience Cheltenham heartache for a third time if she competed amongst the white heat of the Champion Hurdle. Instead, she motored along under Ruby Walsh and never for a stride looked like getting beat. After defeat in the World Hurdle and despair in the Mares' race in the previous two years, Annie had her day at Prestbury Park. Initial plans from Closutton suggest she will return to Cheltenham in the spring with the same target in mind. She is likely to show up first in either the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse or the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.   Faugheen Faugheen ©Healy Racing PhotosWith just one career defeat on his CV and a brilliant Champion Hurdle display in 2015, it is hard to imagine that Faugheen could be 'under the radar' right now. The suspensory problem that forced him to miss the second half of last season means he is perhaps just that. A short-priced favourite for the Champion Hurdle throughout last season, Faugheen can be backed currently at odds of 3.50 to regain his crown in March. The news of his injury that so quickly followed his Irish Champion Hurdle win at Leopardstown in January has diluted the memory of his stellar showing that day. Ruby Walsh described it as 'explosive' as Faugheen, having been taken on halfway around by Nichols Canyon, distanced himself from Grade One winners with what could easily have been a career-best showing. If his injury has done no lasting damage, then rule out 'The Machine' from regaining his crown at your peril. Vroum Vroum Mag Vroum Vroum Mag ©Healy Racing PhotosYet to experience defeat in Ireland or Britain, Vroum Vroum Mag is the jack of all trades in the Closutton pack. Having racked up six wins over fences for Mullins after arriving from France, she scooped a two-mile Mares' Hurdle at Clonmel last December to serve notice of a change in tact. Her versatility is without doubt a trait that separates her from the pack. In January, she won over three-miles at Ascot before dropping to two-and-a-half for Cheltenham's Mares' Hurdle when Annie Power got the call to deputise for Faugheen in the Champion. Remarkably, it was then that Vroum Vroum Mag filled in over two-miles at Punchestown to win the Grade One Champion Hurdle at the Kildare track. Just where she goes next is anyone's guess but it seems this mare would be a big player at any trip from two-to-three miles. Could she be the one to finally win Mullins a World Hurdle? Limini Limini ©Healy Racing PhotosWhile Min was the most talked-about of the up-and-coming Mullins brigade in the lead up to Cheltenham, there was no doubting that as March drew closer the word from Closutton was speaking volumes for Limini. Of all the battalions Mullins was sending over to the Cotswolds, Limini was the horse that carried the 'banker' term. That faith was not misplaced and despite it being a Grade Two Mares' contest late in the afternoon, there was the unmistakable roar from the Cheltenham stands as Limini ranged up to take the lead at the final flight. After riding his seventh winner of the Festival,  Ruby Walsh proclaimed the 'genius' of master-trainer Mullins and it is hard to argue. Subsequent efforts at Aintree and Punchestown were somewhat disappointing but there will be hopes Limini can get right back on track this season. With the added assurance of new names on the roster from this season's novice crop, the season ahead could be a remarkable one — even by Mullins' lofty standards. Given the talent he has over timber, it wouldn't surprise if Mullins was to grab the Champion Hurdle / World Hurdle double next spring.
