Cheltenham Festival – Bapaume and Mega Fortune could clash once again in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham
WILLIE MULLINS is making no excuses for Bapaume after his second to Mega Fortune in Sunday's Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
Mullins' juvenile had previously beaten Mega Fortune twice before, but he had no answer to him this time as Gordon Elliott's hurdler strung them out from the front.
Bapaume was far from disgraced and remains a leading contender for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
"The winner was very good and did it the hard way out in front. The cheekpieces made a huge difference to him," said Mullins.
"I think our fellow ran his race."
Mullins also saddled Meri Devie, who having made an impressive hurdling debut at the track over Christmas, ran with credit to finish fourth.
Mullins said: "Meri Devie will improve. She was a bit sketchy jumping.
"She actually probably needed it. I thought she was straight enough but Paul (Townend) thought she might have needed it.
"She'll improve, but whether she'll improve enough to win a Grade One is another day's work."
