Trainer Willie Mullins collected his third consecutive top trainer award at the Cheltenham Festival last season and promises to have his string in tremendous form in preparation for another Festival haul. Our expert editor has picked out the trainer’s best chances of success during the four-day showpiece below.
Sir Gerhard – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle / Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Trainer Willie Mullins could hit the ground running once more at this year’s Festival as SIR GERHARD could provide him with an eighth success in the Day 1 curtain-raiser. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner made it two from two over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival back in February, pulling 6l clear of nearest rival Three Stripe Life under jockey Paul Townend. Although his jumping left a bit to be desired on that occasion, the seven-year-old was still mighty impressive and quickly went to the top of the novice-hurdle ratings after that success.
The question mark surrounding Sir Gerhard is fairly simple, could he be even better when upped in trip? And the answer could well be yes. The former winning 3mile point-to-pointer has been noticeably strong in the closing stages in the majority of the race she has lined up in and stamina certainly shouldn’t be an issue given his background and racing style.
At this stage, it seems likely that Sir Gerhard will tackle the Ballymore and avoid what is arguably the strongest Supreme Hurdle in recent Cheltenham memory. Either way, Sir Gerhard would be a force to be reckoned with wherever he lines up and is one of the strongest chances for team Mullins across the four days.
Gaelic Warrior – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Owned by Rich Ricci, trained by Willie Mullins…..the rest writes itself, right? GAELIC WARRIOR has been heavily backed for this contest since the start of the year and whilst the French import has yet to race on British or Irish soil, there is an overwhelming suspicion that the four-year-old could be extremely well-treated off just 129.
The owner and trainer were keen to snap the four-year-old up after performing with great credit on his final two starts at Auteuil last year, earning decent RPR figures in the process. The ante-post favourite has been the subject of glowing reports in recent stable tours and interviews and has been kept from making his anticipated racecourse appearance until this season’s Festival in order to protect his generous mark.
There is every reason to think that Gaelic Warrior could be one of the best-handicapped horses of the entire meeting and although the four-year-old will have to perform on the biggest stage of all on stable debut, Willie Mullins’ latest French recruit could blow apart his handicap rating and the continued weight of support suggests he will do just that.
Galopin Des Champs – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase / Turners Novices’ Chase
Last year’s runaway Martin Pipe winner GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has looked like a top-class prospect over fences in his opening two starts this season, jumping impeccably on debut at Leopardstown to score by 22l before returning to that venue at the Dublin Racing Festival to impressively defeat Grade 1 winner Master McShee by 9l.
Willie Mullins’ charge is without question one of the most exciting novice chasers seen anywhere this campaign and punters will be eagerly awaiting to see which contest he eventually lines up in. The fast-improving six-year-old has looked a natural over the larger obstacles and with plenty of improvement to come and previous Festival experience to count on, Willie Mullins’ charge demands the utmost respect whichever path he decides to take.
Facile Vega – Champion Bumper
FACILE VEGA was certainly bred to be very special indeed, being a son of Walk In The Park out of Willie Mullins’ six-time Festival winner Quevega and from the evidence of two dominant wide-margin bumper victories, it’s easy to see why many consider Facile Vega to be one of the bankers of the entire week.
Willie Mullins’ charge made an immediate impact on debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, effortlessly coming clear under Patrick Mullins to win by 6l before returning to the same course and distance in February and putting up an even more impressive display to see off six previous winners and justify odds-on favouritism by 12l.
The manner of those two bumper wins has marked Facile Vega down as a tremendous yet frightening prospect and although Gordon Elliot fancies the chances of his runner American Mike, Willie Mullins’ unbeaten charge is difficult to oppose and is a prospect very much to look forward to as his career takes off.
Allaho – Ryanair Chase
The shortest-priced amongst Willie Mullins’ leading Festival runners, ALLAHO will look to win back to back renewals of the Ryanair Chase after putting in a scintillating round of jumping in last year’s contest to win by 12l under Rachael Blackmore.
Despite the commanding victory last season, that was a first win for Willie Mullins’ charge at the top level after failing to get competitive in top contests over 3miles earlier in his career. However, the drop in trip and positive race tactics definitely worked the oracle for Allaho as the Cheveley Park owned eight-year-old put in one of the performances of the entire meeting and has subsequently continued in fine form this season for connections, landing the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown before readily scoring in Grade 2 company at Thurles back in January.
The Ryanair Chase looks at Allaho’s mercy this year and if matching that effort from last season, it will take a smart effort from one of his rivals to overhaul him up the famous Cheltenham hill.
Vauban – Triumph Hurdle
Another market leader for team Mullins and another strong contender in the form of VAUBAN who was seriously impressive when defeating Fil Dor at Leopardstown in Grade 1 company when last seen despite coming into that particular contest as a maiden over timber.
Despite racing freely, Vauban always looked in control of proceedings under jockey Paul Townend and drew right away from Grade 2 winner Fil Dor to win by a comfortable 3l at the line.
Formerly smart on the flat in France, Vauban was unlucky to bump into the well regarded and equally smart Gordon Elliot runner Pied Piper on penultimate start, going down by just half a length at Punchestown on stable debut. That particular encounter certainly looks very useful form considering the pair pulled 15l clear of their nearest pursuer and Pied Piper has subsequently bolted up in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham.
It should be a fascinating match up again between Pied Piper and Vauban as both have progressed from their initial Punchestown encounter. There won’t be a lot separating the two once more at the Festival, however, Vauban is likely to improve further and has been the one punters have sided with in recent weeks.