Top trainer Willie Mullins has won 94 Cheltenham Festival races over the years, including six more last year. With that in mind, we take a look at the main Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival runners.
Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival 2024 Runners: The Main Players
Willie Mullins is 1/6 to be crowned the Cheltenham Festival top trainer again. The County Carlow handler sent out another six winners in 2023 and has now been the top festival trainer ten times.
He’s got another big team heading to Prestbury Park in 2024 for the four-day meeting that runs from Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th March.
We look at the best Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival runners below as he aims to improve on his 94 winners at the meeting.
Tuesday 12th March 2024 | Ballyburn and State Man on Show
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – BALLYBURN: Winner of four of his five career starts, beaten by Gordon Elliott’s Firefox on hurdling debut. Impressive over 2m4f at Christmas and seven-length winner of a 2m Grade 1 hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival – undoubtedly the best novice hurdler this season and the one to beat if Mullins doesn’t opt for Baring Bingham.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – TULLYHILL: Splendid performance in 2m listed hurdle at Punchestown saw him shorten to second favourite for this race. If Mullins and the team think he has a real shot at winning this, they could send Ballyburn to the Baring Bingham. Well suited by this trip but hurdles form isn’t as strong as Ballyburn’s.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – MYSTICAL POWER: Unbeaten in three runs under rules and flew home in 2m Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown in January. Mullins says he has the pedigree to win this race or Baring Bingham but will lean on opinion of jockey Mark Walsh. Looked keen on last run and could be better suited by Supreme.
Arkle Chase – IL ETAIT TEMPS: Winner of Grade 1 Irish Arkle at Dublin Racing Festival in February by a neck to Found A Fifty. Marine Nationale’s flop leaves the race wide open and he has a real chance. Looks a decent chaser in a division full of inconsistent performers. Hasn’t put his best foot forward at Cheltenham in the past but this is his best opportunity yet.
Ultima Handicap Chase – MEETINGOFTHEWATERS: Market favourite and put together a fine performance to win the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown after Christmas. Unseated Brian Hayes on last run in February when towards rear at first fence. Stands a chance if he can put that result behind him.
Champion Hurdle – STATE MAN: Odds lie in his favour for Champion Hurdle following news of Constitution Hill’s ‘significant’ respiratory infection. Many were backing him to deliver a better challenge this year after going unbeaten in three seasonal runs. Impressive at Dublin Racing Festival and has a great chance at landing the £250k prize.
Mares’ Hurdle – LOSSIEMOUTH: Triumph winner in 2023 and landed the Unibet Hurdle here at January meeting. Went odds-on for this race after beating Love Envoi on the bridle and looks a class above this field. Mullins has spoke about the possibility of a Champion Hurdle campaign next year. Considered a festival ‘banker’.
Mares’ Hurdle – ASHROE DIAMOND: Probably the biggest threat to Lossiemouth and looked impressive in a Grade 2 hurdle at Doncaster in January but form hasn’t turned out brilliantly from that race following Gala Marceau’s flop at Punchestown. Set for her first run at Cheltenham but will likely need a career best effort to upset the favourite.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – BATMAN GIRAC: Major player in the Boodles as second favourite in the market but yet to record a win since transferring to Mullins yard in November. Disappointing at Fairyhouse in December but improved at Leopardstown later that month – four lengths off the smart Kargese who turned over Storm Heart at Dublin Racing Festival.
National Hunt Chase – EMBASSY GARDENS: Unexposed over this trip but justified odds-on claims in victories at Punchestown and Naas this season. Looked to have plenty more to give that day and Patrick Mullins is likely to be jocked up. Pulled up in the Albert Bartlett last year but looks a more comfortable and confident chaser, jumping well in both wins.
Wednesday 13th March 2024 | El Fabiolo And Fact To File Bid For Big Prizes
Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – ILE ATLANTIQUE: Assuming Ballyburn and Mystical Power head for the Supreme, this looks Mullins’ best chance in this race. Beaten a neck by Readin Tommy Wrong in a 2m4f Grade 1 hurdle at Naas in January. Extra furlong should be appreciated, Mullins said he’s been marked as a Baring Bingham horse all season.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – FACT TO FILE: Impressed in a rout of stablemate Gaelic Warrior at Dublin Racing Festival. Mullins speaks about him very highly and could be campaigned as a Gold Cup horse down the line. Skipped hurdles and has taken well to chasing, losing once over 2m4f on debut. Tipped to be a leading stayer and performed well at Cheltenham in Champion Bumper last year.
Champion Chase – EL FABIOLO: Eight wins in 11 starts under rules and undefeated since he was beaten a neck by Jonbon in a novice hurdle at Aintree in 2022. Hasn’t put a foot wrong in almost two years with six straight wins since making switch to fences. Arkle winner in 2023, Dublin Chase winner at Dublin Racing Festival and considered another festival ‘banker’.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase – SAINT ROI: Towards front end of the market for this after being beaten 65 lengths by El Fabiolo in Dublin Chase and hasn’t won since December 2022 at Leopardstown. Finds himself in calmer waters here but hasn’t shown any promising form this season.
Champion Bumper – MAUGHREEN: Willie Mullins loves to win the Champion Bumper – he’s landed the race 12 times. She is the market favourite and will receive a 7lbs mares’ allowance from the boys. Impressive winner on debut at Punchestown in January and comes to Cheltenham with plenty of hype.
Champion Bumper – JASMIN DE VAUX: Easy winner on debut at Naas in January. Will face a proper test at Cheltenham but represents leading connections from the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede team.
Thursday 14th March 2024 | Can Jade De Grugy Live Up To The Hype?
Turners Novices’ Chase – GAELIC WARRIOR: Struggles going left handed and Mullins might skip this meeting for him but if he runs, it will most likely be here. Finished second in both career Cheltenham runs – looked out of sorts on last run at Dublin Racing Festival. Has an impressive engine but others are preferred in this field.
Turners Novices’ Chase – FACILE VEGA: Also uncertain to run at the festival but his best chance also looks in this race. Disappointing in last two runs over fences and Mullins said he’ll have to put in some good work at home to make the journey over. Looks one worth stepping up in trip and 2m4f could be his distance. Very impressive bumper horse but has failed to live up to that hype.
Stayers’ Hurdle – SIR GERHARD: Winner of Baring Bingham in 2022 but didn’t transition as well as expected to fences. 9th when 3/1 favourite in Brown Advisory last year and his best work has come at a shorter trip than this. Fell on seasonal debut over fences but bounced back with win on return to hurdles over 2m3f at Punchestown on New Years’ Eve.
Mares Novices’ Hurdle – JADE DE GRUGY: Winner of all three starts under rules including impressive victory over A Penny A Hundred at Fairyhouse in January. Carries plenty of hype but faces stiffer task against a very competitive field. Represents leading connections from Kenneth Alexander and Mullins’ best chance in the race.
Mares Novices’ Hurdle – FUN FUN FUN: Disappointing bumper horse but has made a nice transition over hurdles, winning twice from three runs. Bred by Patrick Mullins and he’s likely to take the ride here. Form isn’t very strong against market leaders after being beaten by Birdie Or Bust in December at Thurles – who was crushed by Brighterdaysahead at Down Royal in November.
Friday 15th March 2024 | Galopin Des Champs Bids For Back-To-Back Gold
Triumph Hurdle – MAJBOROUGH: Ran well in first start for Mullins in Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival, finishing just behind Kargese and almost in line with Storm Heart. Looks to have plenty of potential and room for improvement but needs a huge effort to upset Sir Gino.
Triumph Hurdle – KARGESE: Impressive winner of Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, improved strongly from debut run under Mullins when second to Gordon Elliott’s Kala Conti. Looked very comfortable in competitive waters and Danny Mullins seems to have great chemistry with her.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – READIN TOMMY WRONG: Could run in this race or 2m5f Baring Bingham. Mullins said he ‘robbed’ Ile Atlantique at Naas in January when a 16/1 winner and looks a potential stayer. Mullins also added this race looks an easier task to win and no concerns with his stamina, leading contender.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – DANCING CITY: Ran a blinder to upset Predators Gold in a 2m6f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival at odds of 16/1. Another horse who enjoyed a spectacular ride from Danny Mullins and sure to be a big player at an extended trip of 3m.
Gold Cup – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS: Arguably the biggest name in National Hunt racing besides Constitution Hill and odds-on for back-to-back Gold Cup success. Impressive in this race last year when beating Bravemansgame and continues to dominate over his preferred trip of 3m or further. 23-length winner of Savills in December and looked comfortable when beating Fastorslow at Dublin Racing Festival.
Hunters’ Chase – BILLAWAY: Became a Cheltenham festival hero when landing this prize by a neck in 2022, hunting down Winged Leader to steal race on the line. Decent run in preparation when second to the smart Its On The Line at Naas in February. Fell at tenth fence in this race last year but holds a good chance.
Mares’ Chase – DINOBLUE: Willie Mullins will be keen to snatch this race back after his two-year win streak was ended by Impervious in 2023. Dinoblue’s form looks almost bulletproof with four wins from her last five – only defeat coming to El Fabiolo in Dublin Chase. Good chance to claim her first festival win.
Mares’ Chase – ALLEGORIE DE VASSY: Second to Impervious in this race last year and fell short to Riviere D’etel on two of three runs this season. Looks better suited to this trip and likely Dinoblue’s biggest challenger but will need a career best to snatch victory.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – SA MAJESTE: Market favourite and could be well handicapped off a mark of 140. Impressive winner over 2m4f at Limerick in December against Noble Yeats who won at Cheltenham’s January meeting over 3m shortly after.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – QUAI DE BOURBON: Undefeated since joining Mullins stable in Closutton and justified favouritism in two races at Naas and Clonmel over 2m3f and 2m respectively. Fenway Park form hasn’t turned out too well from Naas win – could head to Coral Cup or County Hurdle instead.
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