Willie Mullins pulls two huge horses out of Cheltenham Festival as he slashes number of runners across races

WILLIE MULLINS has pulled two huge names out of Cheltenham Festival altogether - as he slashed his number of runners across several key races.

The Closutton boss will not run Brighton supremo Tony Bloom's Ile Atlantique at next month's blockbuster meeting after he was scratched from the Arkle and Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

1

And multiple Grade 1-winning machine Impaire Et Passe, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, won't be on the boat either, after he was cut from the same two races.

THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE

The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only).

Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get...

• Four free racing tickets, four times a year - worth £300
• Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
• Exclusive access to Templegate's daily NAP
• Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
• Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling
• VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month

Become a member today for just £1*

*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.

SIGN UP NOW

18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. UK only. For more information contact [email protected]

Mullins has taken a sword to his masses of runners across the four-day Festival.

Today marked the scratching stage for a number of Grade 1 contests, including the novice races.

Another big name to miss out was Mistergif, who was third fav for the Arkle but removed from that race.

It means, after the sad news that odds-on fav Sir Gino was also gone from the race with an infected wound, two of the top three in the market are missing, leaving Mullins' Majborough head and shoulders above the rest.

Below is every runner Mullins has pulled from each race today.

Most, if not all, have multiple entries, which means their target is being narrowed down rather than they are missing Cheltenham altogether.

Willie Mullins' scratched runners

Most read in Horse Racing

'OVERWHELMED'

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan update as 36-word statement released

IRO-KO'D

'Exciting' Cheltenham Festival favourite pulled from race by billionaire owner

TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS

'Recent winner has loads more to come' - My Tuesday NAP

FIVER FLUTTER

He showed plenty of promise when third at Ayr on his hurdling debut

Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Belloccio
C'Est Ta Chance
Final Demand
Kaid D'Authie
Kalix Delabarriere
Karafon
Redemption Day
Soir De Garde
Zillow

Arkle

Ile Atlantique
Impaire Et Passe
Mistergif

Champion Hurdle

Anzadam
Kitzbuhel
Kargese

Turners Novices' Hurdle

Belloccio
C'Est Ta Chance
Irancy
Jasmin De Vaux
Kalix Delabarriere
Karafon
Karniquet
Soir De Garde

Brown Advisory

Chapeau De Soleil
Ile Atlantique
Impaire Et Passe

Stayers' Hurdle

Gala Marceau

Triumph Hurdle

Legionnaire Forez
Lincoln Du Seuil

READ MORE SUN STORIES

AGONY

My tragic son was run over by his dad...I couldn't even bear cleaning his cereal away

SCREEN TIME

Little-known TV licence rule means thousands can save £174.50 a year

Albert Bartlett

C'Est Ta Chance

FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – 
• Gamble Aware – 

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.