IT’S WILLIE MILLIONS
Irish trainer had bookies running for cover in 2015 ... now they’re in a panic as the Closutton maestro heads to the Cotswolds with favourites
TWELVE
WILLIE MULLINS was one solitary hurdle away from landing punters a £40million touch in 2015.
But, six years on from that unforgettable Festival romp, Ireland’s maestro is coming back with the chance to do it all again, boasting an incredible 12 ante-post favourites for the week.
Mullins’ glittering army of stars head across from Closutton with the hopes and dreams of his backers on those stable lorries alongside medical equipment for the bookies.
He is already the top trainer in Festival history with 72 wins and has a huge chance to break his record of eight at the meeting which was set when Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen, Glens Melody, Don Poli, Vautour, Wicklow Brave and Killultagh Vic did the business in that memorable 2015 burst.
Had Annie Power not fallen at the last flight with the Mares Hurdle at her mercy, Mullins would have ripped £40million out of the satchels as the final leg of an opening-day four-timer with Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen.
Mullins’ supporters are set to pile into accas again this year with the stable’s No.1 jockey Paul Townend set for a bonanza. Mullins said: “I was as astounded as anyone else when I read that we had so many favourites for Cheltenham. If half of it comes off, it will be brilliant.”
He can start the meeting with Appreciate It in the Supreme Novices and Mullins said: “He has a good engine.”
Energumene goes next in the Arkle and his handler said: “If you were going to draw a picture of a chaser, he’s the one you’d draw.
“Shishkin is a hell of a horse and it’s great we’ve one from each side of the Irish Sea going there, we’re looking forward to it.”
Concertista is a strong fancy for the Mares Novices’ event at the end of the opening afternoon before day two sees Gaillard Du Mesnil head up the market for the opening Ballymore Novices Hurdle.
Mullins said: “He was impressive at Leopardstown. I thought if you pull that hard on that ground you will pay the penalty at the end but Paul Townend had the confidence in him and he came through.”
Monkfish and Chacun Pour Soi will both go in the Rich Ricci colours and are odds-on going into the Brown Advisory Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Monkfish was sensational in the Flogas to get ready for the Festival and Mullins said: “I couldn’t believe how easily he won. Everything is just so effortless. He seems to be in the right position and has huge scope no matter where he is.”
Chacun Pour Soi could produce the performance of the Festival, having stood on a stone to miss out 12 months ago. The trainer said: “He’s an awesome horse to have anything to do with.”
Mullins also has the hot favourite for the Champion Bumper in Kilcruit, who was simply dazzling at the DRF.
Mullins said: “I thought he’d be a nice horse but I didn’t think he had that sort of capability. That was unreal what he produced.”
Allaho, Melon and Min dominate the Ryanair market on Thursday, while Al Boum Photo is a jolly to win a third straight Gold Cup for the first time since Best Mate did it.
Mullins said: “He’s very nice to train. Here he is, a double Gold Cup winner going for his third. We’re very privileged to have him.”
Mullins could strike in the Albert Bartlett beforehand with Stattler.
With Billaway a hotpot for the St James’s Place Challenge Cup, Elimay heading the market for the Mares’ Chase and the handicappers ready to rock, Mullins is set to break records. And bookies’ hearts.