The Mullins string© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins hailed his "phenomenal" Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup team as he hosted the press at his County Carlow yard on Monday morning.
Last year's runner-up Djakadam Vautour a winner at the last two Festivals, Don Poli and Valseur Lido are all set to line up for the powerhouse stable in the blue riband on March 18.
And such is the strength in depth at this stage, Ruby Walsh has yet to decide who to ride.
Mullins said: "It's a phenomenal team to have going for a race like the Gold Cup. I just concentrate on my own and not look at the Don Cossack and Cue Card of this world.
"We're taking on fantastic opposition and nobody knows what will happen (stamina-wise) when you go past that three-mile marker. It's brought out different qualities in horses over the years."
In years gone by Mullins has not been swayed by prestige, rather to aim his horses at the race he thinks they have the best chance in, hence Quevega winning five Mares' Hurdles rather than running in a Champion or World Hurdle.
That is set to change with Vautour, though, as the King George runner-up would be a red-hot favourite if he ran in the Ryanair Chase rather than the Gold Cup.
"Strictly speaking if we were to aim our horses for the races they could win, things might be different, but at the moment we're keen to go for the Gold Cup (with Vautour)," said Mullins.
"He did a very nice session in Leopardstown on Sunday and it was just enough as he and others that went there all worked on Saturday. He's in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup and at the moment everyone is keen to fire as many bullets as they can at the Gold Cup. I think he's enough stamina. We asked a big question in Kempton, going on that far out.
"Traditionally our horses wouldn't be as fit at Christmas as they are in March and I don't think he's ever shone at Christmas, but he's been way better when it comes to Cheltenham."
Djakadam fell at Cheltenham in January and needed stitches but made a quick recovery.
"I must compliment the vet in Cheltenham after he got his cut," said Mullins.
"I worried about it at the time. I thought I might not have enough time to get him ready, but the way the stitches healed up, we didn't lose much time and I think I can make it up easily.
"We were able to keep him walking. It was probably about 10 days before we were able to get him back to trot, but he'd have been having a week off anyhow.
"We've got him back doing fast work and I'm not too worried if he jumps (schools) again or not. Basically he's a good jumper. He's got a bit more work to do, but I'm happy where I am with him."
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