Renowned trainer Willie Mullins is gearing up for the prestigious Cheltenham Festival this week with what many are hailing as his most formidable team ever assembled. The spotlight turns to Wednesday, a pivotal day for the Champion trainer and his loyal supporters.
The Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle kicks off proceedings, featuring one of Mullins’ standout prospects, Ballyburn, who stands as the 4/7 favourite with bet365. In a highly competitive field of eight, which includes four stablemates, Ballyburn impressed in his recent triumph at Leopardstown and further solidified his credentials by clinching a Grade One title at the Dublin Racing Festival.
In a bid to offer the best odds, bet365 has introduced a Price Promise for all races at Cheltenham this week, ensuring competitive rates against major bookmakers. The Brown Advisory Novice Chase follows, with Fact To File leading the charge as the 10/11 favourite. This former point-to-point winner, under Mullins’ guidance, transitioned seamlessly to the fences, posting commendable performances in recent outings.
The third race, the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, presents a challenging field of 25 runners. Yet again, Mullins commands favouritism with Sa Majeste at 9/2. The French recruit has shown promise, with a notable victory at Limerick, and looks well placed to make a mark in the handicap category.
Moving on to the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the stage is set for a thrilling rematch between El Fabiolo and Jonbon, reprising their duel from the previous season. With El Fabiolo maintaining an unblemished record since their last encounter, the odds favour Mullins’ charge for another triumph.
Stattler, representing Mullins in the Cross Country Chase, faces a unique challenge due to his limited experience over this course. The Grand Annual Handicap Chase sees Saint Roi, a consistent performer at the Festival, aiming to fine-tune his jumping skills for a successful outing.
As the day draws to a close with the Champion Bumper, Mullins’ dominance in this race is evident, with nine contenders among the 24 declared runners. Patrick Mullins partners with the promising Jasmin De Vaux, showcasing a strong aptitude for challenging conditions. Meanwhile, C’est Ta Chance emerges as a dark horse, poised to exceed expectations under Mullins’ astute guidance.