Trainer Willie Mullins has shown his hand over Cilaos Emery, confirming that the eight-year-old will be supplemented for the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
Cilaos Emery made a winning seasonal bow in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas in November last year before beating two horses to take Cork’s Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way on December 8.
The gelding then fluffed his lines at Leopardstown on February 1 when falling in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase but he was back to winning ways on Saturday at Gowran Park.
The son of Califet claimed the Grace 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle, with a nine-and-a-half-length victory over Darasso.
Mullins liked what he saw, saying: “The plan is to supplement, costing £22,500, Cilaos Emery for the Champion Hurdle.”
The Closutton handler also admitted that Penhill and Bachasson may well next be seen in the Festival’s Coral Cup and Stayers’ Hurdle respectively.
The duo finished second and third respectively in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday and all eyes will now be on Cheltenham.
