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Willie Mullins eager to hit ground running at Cheltenham

'One year I hadn't any winner for two days. It was tough going to bed each evening'
'One year I hadn't any winner for two days. It was tough going to bed each evening'

Willie Mullins is aiming to get out of the blocks early at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

The opening race of the 2020 Festival is the Supreme Novices Hurdle next Tuesday which the trainer has won on no fewer than six occasions. 

Mullins has five runners in that opening Grade One, including Asterion Forlonge, and hopes a good start will alleviate any pressure.

"We all love to get a winner on the first day - any owner, trainer or jockey," he said.

"If you can get a winner on the first day, everyone's relaxed, the whole team relaxes and it's almost like a job done so it is.

"One year I hadn't any winner for two days. It was tough going to bed each evening.

"But if you are fortunate enough to hit the board the first day or the bullseye even, that's good." 

Meanwhile, Mullins has five to pick from in next Wednesday's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, headed by Asterion Forlonge once more and The Big Getaway.

He also has five in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase, with former Champion Hurdle hero Faugheen among the squad after raising the Leopardstown roof when claiming a second Grade One verdict over fences last month.

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