Mullins has high expectations for Allaho Ryanair double

One of the most striking displays of last year’s Cheltenham Festival was Allaho’s demolition job in the Ryanair Chase and Willie Mullins is hopeful a repeat performance is in the offing.

Ridden by Rachael Blackmore on that occasion, with stable jockey Paul Townend preferring the claims of stable stalwart Min, the two set off at a ferocious gallop, building up what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

Blackmore could barely believe her eyes when she crossed the line 12 lengths to the good and while he has not quite reached those heights since, he sets a high standard to aim at.

“I hope he can do what he did last year. To me, I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t come with a very good run,” said Mullins.

“His run last year looked like he was made for the track. If he can reproduce that run, hopefully that will be good enough.”

Allaho carries the colours of Cheveley Park, and stud director Richard Thompson is similarly confident of a bold showing on Thursday.

He said: “Allaho has done nothing wrong in the last 12 months. He was brilliant at Cheltenham, finished second to Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown and is two from two this season.

“He has a very good record at Cheltenham – in three visits he’s finished third, third and first.

“We’ve got to hope he’s going to go there and win again.”

Mullins also fields Janidil and Melon, a perennial bridesmaid at this meeting.

Gordon Elliott’s Conflated ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Gold Cup over an extended three miles last time out, a huge career best.

Connections resisted the temptation to run him in the Gold Cup and feel coming back in distance will suit him better.

Elliott said: “There’s a bit of kink in him. When he’s good he’s good but when he’s bad he’s horrific.

“He