---
title: "Mullins hints at Champion Hurdle entry for Limini"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2017/02/28/mullins-hints-champion-hurdle-entry-limini/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Archer"
section: "News"
published: "2017-02-28T10:53:46Z"
modified: "2017-02-28T10:53:58Z"
---

# Mullins hints at Champion Hurdle entry for Limini

It has become one of racing’s greatest conundrums and most talked-about stories in recent days but  it looks increasingly likely that Willie Mullins’ mare Limini will be supplemented at a cost of £20,000 for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Having comfortably defeated Hatton’s Grace winner Apple’s Jade at Punchestown with an authoritative two-length success earlier this month, the six-year-old daughter of Peintre Celebre was widely touted as a live chance to head for the Champion Hurdle, thereby keeping Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini, both owned by Ricci apart, rather than running both in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

Speaking from his stable at a press day for the Festival, the Closutton handler intimated that Limini will therefore head for the Championship hurdle Grade One over two-miles as she bids to follow up her impressive victory at last year’s Festival in the Dawn Run Mares Novice Hurdle, leaving Vroum Vroum Mag to attempt to retain her OLBG Mares’ Hurdle crown.

Ireland’s Champion Jumps trainer commented on Limini: “I would say it’s 50-50. I had a chat with Rich (Ricci, owner) the other day and we both said we wouldn’t chat much more until the morning of the thing (supplementary stage) comes.

> A lot depends on how Vroum Vroum Mag goes between now and then, she’s obviously in the Mares’ Hurdle. I think if she’s fine and sparking, we probably might take a punt with Limini. I think Vroum Vroum will go for the Mares’ Hurdle. On her last performance, that’s all I can see her doing.

Mullins has been without a creditable Champion Hurdle candidate since the news broke earlier this year that his two previous winners of the race, Faugheen (2015) and Annie Power (2016), would miss the Festival due to injury problems.

Limini is a general 6/1 chance for the two-mile contest with JP McManus’ duo Yanworth and Buveur D’Air heading the market as the joint 7/2 favourites.