The name Willie Mullins puts the same fear into the bookmakers that the names Beetlejuice and Candy Man do to horror fans. Back in 2015 the bookies must have thought they were in their very own horror film when the first three legs of the Willie Mullins day one accumulator came in.
First Douvan then Un De Sceaux and Faugheen obliged without any trouble. Annie Power was cruising home to kill the bookies on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival before unceremoniously over-jumping and falling at the last. Every year since the bookmakers have been running scared of the Closutton maestro. Here are four Mullins-trained Cheltenham Festival tips for an accumulator to terrify the bookies with. You can back it in one-click below with bet365.
Dysart Dynamo (5-2)
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
1.30 Cheltenham
Dysart Dynamo is currently joint favourite for the opening race on day one and rightfully so. In a Punchestown Grade 2, he was keen to post and raced even more keenly yet still obliterated the field finishing 19 lengths clear of the second and 49 lengths clear of the third who has won since. This horse falls into the ‘could be anything category’ and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him win in the style of stablemate Appreciate It who won last year’s renewal in imperious fashion.
Blue Lord (4-1)
Arkle Novices’ Chase
2.10 Cheltenham
With the absence of Ferny Hollow, Blue Lord is many people’s fancy for the Arkle. He’s already a Grade 1 winner this term and he looked booked for second in last year’s Supreme before an unfortunate fall. This big strapping horse looks every inch a chaser and he is Willie Mullins’ best chance of winning yet another Arkle.
Gaelic Warrior (5-2)
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
4.50 Cheltenham
Gaelic Warrior looks like he could be very well handicapped in the Boodles with some smart French form despite still being a maiden. It has been reported that Mullins was prepared to put this gelding away for a novice campaign next season but couldn’t resist the lure of this handicap mark of 129. The punters can’t seem to resist either making him a short price to oblige.
Stattler (11-4)
Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup
5.30 Cheltenham
Stattler runs in the National Hunt Chase and attempts to give his owner Ronnie Bartlett a second consecutive win in the race after Galvin’s victory last year. This gelding looks like the class angle of the race and is highly thought of. He is expected to make a better chaser than he was a hurdler and stamina won him the day last time out.
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