Cheltenham 2025: Leading Willie Mullins hope ruled out of Festival by setback

One of Willie Mullins’ leading hopes for the Cheltenham Festival has been ruled out of the fixture.

Kawaboomga, owned by billionaire JP McManus, had been prominent in the betting for the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle.

He was fourth in bookmakers’ lists as a 5-1 chance on the evidence of two runs over obstacles since moving to Ireland from France last year.

The French recruit made a promising debut for Mullins when runner-up to esteemed stablemate Kopek Des Bordes at the Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He built on that run to get off the mark at Fairyhouse last month, beating a subsequent winner in William Munny.

As a result the five-year-old had looked a major player for the Turners’ but will not be making the trip across the Irish Sea.

McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “Unfortunately Kawaboomga has had a setback and will miss the rest of the season.

“He’s a grand, big horse and it’s disappointing, but hopefully all being well we’ll have him back for the autumn.”

Despite Kawaboomga’s defection, both Mullins and McManus will have high hopes of landing the two-mile-five-furlong Grade One which opens day two of the Festival.

Mullins is responsible for the ante-post favourite Final Demand, while the green and gold McManus silks are set to be carried by The New Lion for the first time, with the leading owner having snapped up Dan Skelton’s charge since his Challow Hurdle success at Newbury in late December.

Berry added: “Dan seems very happy with The New Lion and we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

Final Demand a 6-4 market leader with Paddy Power in their non-runner no bet market for the Turners, with The New Lion rated his biggest threat at 5-2.