Willie Mullins heads to Cheltenham with his usual star-studded string and the Closutton king will be looking to add to his record 65 Festival winners.
The master trainer will head to the Cotswolds with numerous high-profile chances but here is a look at some of his runners that might offer a bit of value to punters.
Cash Back – Arkle – 6/1
In a similar vein to Arkle favourite Notebook, Cash Back didn’t set the world alight over hurdles.
He accumulated just the one win over the smaller obstacles and finished last season rated 141 but looks a different proposition over fences.
He won his first two chase starts in spectacular fashion; jumping brilliantly and setting fierce gallops that his rivals couldn’t live with.
He turned up in the Irish Arkle to take on Notebook and ran an admirable race; jumping well and showing his tenacity and resolution by just losing out narrowly by half a length in a tremendous battle.
That was only the eight-year-old's third start over the larger obstacles and he will have learned plenty from the battle him and Notebook had up the straight and I could see him reversing the form come the Festival.
I feel if Cash Back sets a stronger gallop than he did at Leopardstown, he could get Notebook off the bridle earlier than ideal.
He seems to be in a similar mould to the recently retired Un De Sceaux, in that he can set a scorching gallop and has the bravery to maintain it to the line and find plenty for pressure.
The demands of an Arkle should suit the son of Linda’s Lad with his aggressive jumping and enthusiastic racing style.
He rates a good bet at 6/1, especially considering that connections have not decided on which race his other market rival, Fakir D’oudaries, will contest.
Benie Des Dieux – Mares Hurdle – 4/5
Mullins' best chance at the Festival must be the spectacular Benie Des Dieux.
I think this mare is one of the best horses in training and she probably doesn’t get the credit she deserves.
The nine-year-old is unbeaten when standing up since joining Mullins, falling once in the Mares Hurdle at the Festival last year.
She was going to win that day, having travelled comfortably throughout the contest and was about to put the race to bed before coming to grief at the last.
She absolutely hosed up in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January when extending away from Penhill to slam a decent field by 21 lengths.
That was over 3 miles but this mare is versatile trip wise as she’s won over 2 and 2 and a half miles in the past.
This versatility has caused her owner, Rich Ricci, to ponder supplementing her for the Champion Hurdle but this looks unlikely now especially since Mullins has already rerouted Cilaos Emery to that contest.
However, there is a possibility she could run in the Stayers against Paisley Park for which she would be a significant danger to Emma Lavelle’s stable star.
Benie added a French Champion Hurdle to her impressive CV last May when beating French wondermare De Bon Coeur.
This is an exceptional piece of form that would rival anything Paisley Park has done.
Mullins said after her imperious performance in the Galmoy Hurdle that she could be the best mare he has ever trained which proves how highly she’s thought of in the Closutton yard.
She’s a special mare and one of the brightest talents heading to Cheltenham and it will take a spectacular performance to beat her, in whatever race she contends.
Her most likely target is the Mares Hurdle for a clash with Honeysuckle which would be an intriguing prospect, but I feel Benie would have the measure of her, especially over 2 and a half miles on soft ground.
Allaho – RSA/ Marsh Chase – 5/1
Another interesting runner from the champion trainer’s yard is the impressive Allaho.
This Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding could face his old rival, Minella Indo, should Mullins opt for the RSA Chase with him.
They both ran against each other last year no less than three times, with Henry De Bromhead’s charge coming out on top twice but I reckon Allaho can level it up if they meet again.
The six-year-old ran in the Albert Bartlett last year at the Festival and ran an excellent race when coming third after being very keen with Ruby Walsh the whole way.
He was only five years old when lining up and seemed a bit green and raw the whole way around and he couldn’t find a whole lot up the hill having raced so enthusiastically earlier in the contest.
A change in tactics in Punchestown allowed him to use his massive stride and jumping when bowling along in front, and he looked like he would find little off the bridle when Minella Indo passed him in the straight but he plugged on admirably and saw the race out well to be beaten 2 lengths.
I feel like this horse has been learning and improving with every run and it seems to be coming together nicely over fences for him this season.
His last chase start in Fairyhouse was visually brilliant, and is backed up by the clock.
He, again, used his long stride and accurate jumping to lead from start to finish and he bolted in by 21 lengths from the useful Milan Native.
I would prefer if he went to the Marsh Chase as he could be a shade keen over 3 miles, but I feel he is learning to race more efficiently as he gets more experience.
I think he’s the most talented novice chaser in training and he would go very close in the Marsh or RSA.
Billaway – Foxhunters Chase – 7/1
The Foxhunters, often referred to as the “Amateur Gold Cup”, is always an exciting contest with it throwing up some fan favourites over the past few years, none more so than the great hunter chaser On The Fringe.
But Ireland have another massive chance of taking it once more this year with the progressive Billaway.
Usually in the Foxhunters you have horses who are nearing the end of their careers and trainers seek to reinvigorate them by switching disciple to hunter chases but this isn’t the case with Billaway.
This horse has done nothing but improve the last 12 months and comes to the Festival in rude health.
The eight-year-old jumps efficiently and travels well which is essential in a 22 runner cavalry charge like the Foxhunters with plenty of inexperienced riders in the field.
He seems nimble and smart enough to handle the thrills and spills of a race of that nature and comes to the Festival as a relatively young, unexposed horse in the context of his rivals.
He appreciated the step up to 3 miles when winning a very decent hunter chase in Naas in late January where he hit the line strong which bodes well for when he tackles the famous hill at Cheltenham.
The fact he is improving at a rapid rate when his main market rivals are arguably on the decline makes him a confident pick in this race.
Patrick Mullins will be desperate to add this race to his CV and his father has previously stated he was bought with the intention of running in this race.
He looks a fantastic bet at 7/1 in the penultimate race of the week to finish off the Festival on a high for the champion trainer.
