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Djakadam leads powerful Mullins Gold Cup squad

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Djakadam and Ruby Walsh

Djakadam was deposed as favourite for the Gold Cup in January

  PICTURE: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Tony O’Hehir 8.00PM 29 FEB 2016 

DJAKADAM, last year’s Gold Cup runner-up, is on course for his attempt to go one better a fortnight on Friday following his fall in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January, which led to his toppling as favourite for the Timico-sponsored contest.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Djakadam, has never won the Gold Cup, finishing second five times including in the last three renewals, but when he paraded his likely runners at his yard on Monday few could doubt he holds the strongest hand this year.

“I must compliment Ian [Camm], the vet at Cheltenham, for the job he did stitching up Djakadam’s injuries,” said Mullins.

“We were lucky the injuries were high up on his chest,” he added. “We were able to keep him walking at least. I worried at the time that we’d run out of road to get him ready for the Gold Cup, but the way the stitches healed up told me I could make up the few days we lost.

“We’ve been able to do plenty with him and I’m happy where we are with him.”

Plenty of options

Mullins has seven besides Djakadam still entered in the Gold Cup, but Valseur Lido, Don Poli and Vautour look the major players. Vautour is shortest of all Mullins’ runners in the betting and is a general 4-1 joint-favourite with Don Cossack. Djakadam is a top-price 6-1 with William Hill.

“Vautour is in the Ryanair and Gold Cup but I think he has enough stamina for the Gold Cup and at the minute that’s where he’s going,” said Mullins.

“We asked him a big question going on so far out at Kempton in the King George and traditionally our horses wouldn’t be as fit at Christmas as they are in March.

“Like last year we’ve had to get stuck into Vautour to get him ready. It worked so we’ll do it again and keep our fingers crossed.”

‘Don Poli has enough speed’

Confidence is also high for Valseur Lido, who holds a Ryanair entry too, staying the Gold Cup trip. “For me every time he runs he’s crying out for more distance and if it was up to me he’d be going for the Gold Cup,” said Mullins.

The trainer added: “Ruby [Walsh] hadn’t asked him a question going to the last in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown so an extra two and a half furlongs would be right up his street too.”

There will be no stamina concerns for Don Poli and Mullins believes he has the tactical speed for the race as well.

He concluded: “He’s obviously not the fastest horse in the world but in the RSA last year, at the fourth last, Bryan [Cooper] got daylight and he shot to the front. I think he’ll have enough speed for a Gold Cup.”

Don Poli is available at 6-1 for the Gold Cup, with Valseur Lido a general 20-1 shot.

For all the latest news on Willie Mullins’ powerful Cheltenham team, including a horse-by-horse guide, don’t miss Tuesday’s paper – available on iPad from 8pm Monday

 

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