FIREFOX CAN BRING DOWN MULLINS SIX

Revealing tales and top tips from ITV Racing’s Oli Bell

CHELTENHAM has an uncanny knack of delivering the goods when it needs to — and there’s no time like the present.

Much has been said and written about racing’s problems this winter, and those issues aren’t going away.

We’ll hear and read plenty more about the cost of attending the Festival this week — and that’s another area in which racing needs to listen.

But, year on year, this incredible setting serves up ‘I was there’ moments that money can’t buy.

Kauto Star, Honeysuckle,

Sprinter Sacre.

They were memories that will last forever, and there are more in the offing. Some we can already visualise — like Paisley Park signing off his stellar career by winning Thursday’s Stayers’ Hurdle, five years on from landing it for the first time.

Galopin Des Champs elevating himself from a very good horse to a generational great in the 100th running of the

Gold Cup.

Other stories will take us by surprise, and I for one can’t wait to see it all unfold. I don’t expect prizes for tipping a 1-10 winner, but that’s what is available about Willie Mullins ending the meeting as top trainer.

You get 10% on your return for a four-day investment — and Mullins is safer than the banking system!

BELL’S BANKERS

Gordon Elliott can thwart the six-strong Mullins battalion in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) with FIREFOX.

Ballyburn seems to be everyone’s idea of a banker in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle tomorrow, but Firefox beat him at Fairyhouse in December. I also fancy Elliott’s THE GOFFER in the Ultima Chase (2.50).

He was fourth to Corach Rambler as a six-year-old last year but looks stronger now.

Nigel Twiston-davies has had rotten luck with the setback to Brown Advisory Chase hope Broadway Boy, but MATATA (ew) can put a smile on the trainer’s face in the Arkle (2.10).

And I can’t oppose LOSSIEMOUTH in the Mares’ Hurdle (4.10).

Year on year, it serves up ‘I was there moments’ that money can’t buy