Having set the record for the most trained winners at the Cheltenham Festival in 2015 and taking the title as the leading trainer at the festival, it should come as no surprise to learn that we think Willie Mullins is in with the best shot to be Cheltenham’s most successful trainer again this year.
He had six winners at the festival last year, but this year, it looks like he could be set for even more. Here are some of the horses that we think will take Willie Mullins to victory and maybe even help him break his own record of eight winners.
Ciel de Neige – The Sporting Life Arkle Chase Challenge Trophy
Over the last ten years, Mullins has had four winners at the Arkle, so it stands to reason that he’s got a good shot at it again this year.
The Arkle is often one of the biggest highlights of the Cheltenham Festival, it even made the list of AP McCoy’s best ever rides when he won it with Well Chief back in 2004. At the time, Well Chief was trained by Martin Pipe – another trainer who dominated at Cheltenham (the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle now runs at Cheltenham in his honour).
As for Willie Mullins and his chances this year, Appreciate It was initially set to be his best shot for the Arkle. Just days ago, he was the shortest-priced horse of the whole festival, at around 10/3 to win.
Now, however, it looks like Appreciate It will be withdrawn, with Mullins preferring to run him over hurdles instead and run Ciel de Neige in his place.
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As for Ciel de Neige, this horse is now one of the most favoured of the whole festival, with current odds sitting at around 12-1 to win Arkle. At 7 years old, he’s still relatively young, but is well built, has an imposing presence and is well on his way to reaching his prime.
He’s won three of three over his last three starts and, while he didn’t impress in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, it seems that since making the leap to fences he’s improved considerably.
State Man – Cheltenham McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle
Another young horse that looks likely to cause an upset from the Mullins yard is State Man. His sights will likely be focused on the Contractors County Handicap, which, despite being a big step up, should suit him perfectly.
It’s worth noting that he is also entered into a selection of other races, but owing to his turn of foot it’s likely that this shorter trip of 2 miles 1 furlong will suit him best.
Assuming Mullins chooses to capitalise on this horse’s sharp turn of foot, it will be great to see him go up against stiffer competition. He was impressive when winning his last 2-mile maiden at Limerick. Showing his class, he won by a comfortable 12 lengths.
Though he is still lightly raced, it wouldn’t be jumping the gun to assume that this impressive horse has much more to offer.
Galopin des Champs – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Mullins has got quite the string of Novice Chasers in his stable at the moment. Out of that crop, he looks set to run the great Galopin des Champs in The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (previously known as the Sun Alliance Chase).
He’s won his last four starts, over distances varying between 2 miles, 4 and a half furlongs and 3 miles. This will set him in good stead to make the trip.
He was particularly impressive in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase in Leopardstown at the beginning of this month, where he came head to head with the powerful Master McShee, but drew away to win easily by 9 lengths.
The only danger in terms of Galopin des Champs’ chances of winning the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is whether or not he’ll run in it. He’s currently a 5-4 favourite to win, but he’s also entered into The Turners Novices’ Chase where he’s 7-4, so it remains to be seen which he’ll be pulled from.
