Willie Mullins’ new State Man? – Five handicappers to watch at Cheltenham

The preliminary entries for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival were announced recently which are bound to have a huge impact on the betting markets. There are a grand total of 337 entries across the five handicap hurdles and the four handicap chases have amassed 251 entries.

We’ve picked out five very interesting entries that could be particularly well handicapped. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

Hamsiyann

This horse will certainly be an interesting proposition if he gets into the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Tony Martin loves a handicap plot and Hamsiyann could well be another one of his schemes. Showing little in his first two starts over hurdles, he showed significant improvement when finishing second at Ludlow on Wednesday. That should get him a mark and connections will be hoping it’s a nice one.

Langer Dan

Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old came out on top in last year’s Coral Cup and is near the top of the market for 2024’s renewal. It’s easy to see why as the handicapper has dropped him to the same mark off which he was victorious last year and we could see the same result. He has shown very little in four starts this season but those efforts have had the desired effect of getting his mark down.

Sa Majeste

Willie Mullins appears to have been protecting Sa Majeste’s mark as we’ve only seen him once this season and he was an impressive winner at Limerick. This would be just his third start since moving over from France and he could be Willie’s new State Man. Currently heading the market in the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, he’ll be turning heads wherever he ends up.

Saint Felicien

Gordon Elliott’s gelding has been consistent in fours starts over fences so far this season. This horse was perhaps a little unfortunate to bump into some smart sorts in his first three starts. Making no mistake at Gowran last time, he got off the mark in good style and could be well handicapped in the TrustATrader Plate.

King Of Kingsfield

The Gigginstown-owned six-year-old is rated very highly by his trainer who thinks he possesses lots of speed. That would certainly come in handy if he was to line up in the County Hurdle and he has the ability to run a big race. Ballyburn was far too good for him in Grade 1 company last time out and the handicap route might prove to be the sensible option.

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