This year’s National Hunt scene has been dominated by big news stories such as the injuries suffered to Faugheen, Annie Power and Thistlecrack and, with the Greatest Show on Turf now under a week away, a further massive announcement was made by Clossuton handler Willie Mullins on Wednesday as he announced that improving mare Limini would not be supplemented at a cost of £20,000 for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.
In a year where Mullins’ former champions Faugheen and Annie Power have been ruled out of the two-mile championship hurdling showpiece due to injury, this was another shock announcement, given Limini looked well placed to fill the void left by Mullins’ vanquished champions.
The six-year-old daughter of Peintre Celebre was a general 6/1 shot for the Grade One event but now looks destined to join Vroum Vroum Mag in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle over two-miles and four furlongs, which is also run on the first day of the Festival, although the latter does remain entered in the Champion Hurdle.
An impressive winner on her reappearance at Punchestown in the Listed Quevega Mares’ Hurdle, where she lowered the colours of Hatton’s Grace winner Apple’s Jade, Limini looked to have improved upon her facile victory in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, prompting the mare to be well touted for the Champion Hurdle.
However, she looks likely to now join last year’s winner and stable companion Vroum Vroum Mag in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle. for which Limini is a general 5/4 shot, with Vroum Vroum Mag pushed out to 7/4 following the news.
Analysis by Danny Archer
It’s a huge story, this. Limini looked well placed to run a cracker in what is one of the most open Champion Hurdles in recent history. However, she should enjoy running against her own sex in the Mares’ and I would fancy her to get the better of stable companion Vroum Vroum Mag, who has not looked that impressive this season.
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