Cheltenham Festival 2016 news: Identity Thief and Mullins raiders latest

The County Carlow handler also has Petite Parisienne, who was a Grade 1 winner seasom, and Whiteout entered but plans remain fluid for both.

However, Morning Run, who has been beaten just once in seven starts, is due to make the trip en route to a possible crack at the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, March 15th, for which she is currently a 16/1 chance with Coral.

Mullins also has a strong entry in another key Cheltenham Festival trial race on the card, the Lightning Novices’ Chase.

A total of 14 horses have been entered for the Grade 2 contest, and Mullins’ Shaneshill is a surprise one which has added some real potential spice to the race.

The gelding, who finished runner-up in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and is unbeaten in two starts over fences, is currently 4/1 second favourite with Coral for the JLT Novices’ Chase on Thursday March 17th.

Mullins has also entered Avant Tout and Net D’Ecosse, whilst among the home team is Nicky Henderson’s classy Vaniteux, who pushed Ar Mad close at Kempton last time out and is 9/1 third favourite with Coral for the Arkle at the Festival on Tuesday, March 15th.

Shantou Village out to enhance Cheltenham credentials on Festival trials day

Shantou Village is set to put his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle on Festival Trials day at Prestbury Park on Saturday, January 30th.

The gelding won his sole start in an Irish point in impressive fashion and is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles since joining trainer Neil Mulholland.

The six-year-old was particularly impressive last time out when slamming Champers On Ice by 15 lengths in a Grade 2 contest at the track, and is currently 12/1 with Coral for the actual Neptune at the Festival on Wednesday, March 16th.

An 18-strong entry also includes Ben Pauling’s exciting and unbeaten Barters Hill (16/1 for the Neptune) and the Alan King trained Yanworth who is 8/1 third favourite for the Neptune with Coral.

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