The trainers to follow at Cheltenham as Willie Mullins eyes historic landmark
Willie Mullins is the leading trainer of all-time at the Cheltenham Festival.
He has saddled 94 winners at the biggest jumps meeting of the year and needs six more to reach a landmark century.
If that sounds like a tall order, even for Ireland’s 17-time champion jumps trainer, it may not be.
Two years ago he sent out a record ten winners at the meeting and managed six last year.
He could do it on the first day of the four day fixture as he trains the favourite in six of the seven races and the second favourite in the other.
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With a team whose stars include the likes of State Man (Champion Hurdle), El Fabiolo (Champion Chase), Galopin Des Champs (Cheltenham Gold Cup), he is the trainer to follow, but who else could be among the winners.
Gordon Elliott: could be biggest threat to Willie Mullins (Getty Images)GORDON ELLIOT
The last to finish leading Cheltenham Festival trainer who wasn’t Willie Mullins. Elliott punched strongly in 2017 and 2018 when he trained 14 winners across the two fixtures. He has struggled to match Mullins for quality since but could do well in the handicaps.
Main hopes - Firefox (Supreme), Found A Fifty (Arkle), Irish Point (Champion Hurdle), Salvador Ziggy (NH Chase), Delta Work (Cross-Country), Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle), Brighterdaysahead (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle).
NICKY HENDERSON
Britain’s leading Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer with 73 victories has had his preparations disrupted by a setback for stable superstar Constitution Hill who has been ruled out of the Champion Hurdle. It has left a big hole in his squad and it would be a huge surprise if he reaches the end of the week without at least one win.
Main hopes - Jeriko Du Reponet (Supreme) Jonbon (Champion Chase), Chantry House (Pertemps) Sir Gino (Triumph Hurdle), Shishkin (Cheltenham Gold Cup), No Ordinary Joe (Martin Pipe).
Paul Nicholls: has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup four timesPAUL NICHOLLS
The 14-time champion trainer enjoyed a golden period in the noughties when he topped the leaderboard five times. His two successes last year were the first at the meeting for the stable since 2020. Both of those horses, Stage Star and Stay Away Fay, will be among his team again.
Main hopes - Stay Away Fay (Brown Advisory Chase), Teeshan (Champion Bumper), Ginny’s Destiny (Turner’s Novices’ Chase), Stage Star (Ryanair Chase).
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HENRY DE BROMHEAD
In tandem with stable jockey Rachael Blackmore, de Bromhead has regularly produced his team to peak at this meeting, registering 14 winners at the last four meetings. In 2022 he won the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. Those were the days of Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard and Put The Kettle On, who have all retired. Never one to overlook at this meeting.
Main hopes - Slade Steel (Supreme/Gallaghers Novices’ Hurdle), Quilixios (Arkle Trophy), Monty’s Star (Brown Advisory Chase), Minella Indo (Cross-Country), Envoi Allen (Ryanair Chase), Waterford Whispers (Martin Pipe).
GAVIN CROMWELL
The farrier-trainer is based in Co Meath but has made hay in Britain this season, recording 11 winners at a strike rate of 25 per cent, seven of them at Cheltenham. He’s had four winners at the Festival and Flooring Porter is bidding to win at the meeting for the third time.
Main hopes - My Mate Mozzie (Grand Annual Chase), Inothewayyurthinkin (Kim Muir Chase), Brides Hill (Mares’ Chase).
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