Cheltenham Festival 2020: Willie Mullins adds Cilaos Emery to Champion Hurdle squad and Penhill given Cheltenham target

IRISH maestro Willie Mullins is to add Cilaos Emery to his depleted Unibet Champion Hurdle squad.

After losing Saldier and Klassical Dream to injury earlier in the month, Saturday's Red Mills winner is needed to strengthen Mullins hand.

Mullins will supplement the Grade 1 winner at a cost of £22,500 for the two mile showpiece.

The eight-year-old had been campaigned over fences so far this season but a win at Gowran Park on Saturday has opened up more options.

Mullins confirmed: "The plan is to supplement, costing £22,500, Cilaos Emery for the Champion Hurdle."

He is as short as 6-1 with a number of bookmakers for the race, with only Epatante and Pentland Hills shorter in the market.

Mullins is also considering Cheltenham for Penhill and Bachasson, after they finished second and third respectively in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

"Bachasson ran well and I'll look for a nice race for him somewhere. He looked as though he could come on for the run and he could run in the Coral Cup," he said.

"Penhill will run in the Stayers' Hurdle next."

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