Sporting Life
Check out the thoughts of the Cheltenham Festival's leading trainer
Check out the thoughts of the Cheltenham Festival's leading trainer

Willie Mullins Cheltenham column: Preview of Friday runners

By Willie Mullins
17:25 · FRI March 17, 2023

Check out our star columnist on his final-day team for the Cheltenham Festival including an each-way player in the concluding Martin Pipe.

16:10 Billaway

1
Billawayb1,t34
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR:  141| CD
9/2

Has three good runs in this race, finishing second twice and winning it last year. He’s a horse that takes a lot of riding and the new whip rules won’t be an advantage to Patrick, this fellow takes a lot of cajoling. He’ll be there or thereabouts but might just have to give away to the younger brigade.

16:50 Allegorie De Vassy

1
Allegorie De Vassyt54
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-5| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR:  151
13/8

Comes here after two spectacular wins, she’s in good form and showed she handles this ground at Limerick. A lack of experience is our only negative, but she has the ability.

16:50 Elimay

2
Elimayb1,t34
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: W P Mullins| OR:  149| CD
20/1

Won the race last year but hasn’t had the greatest preparation this time around. She has the experience which will count for a lot and she needed the runs we’ve given her this term. She could get into the money.

16:50 Dolcita

5
Dolcita75
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-2| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR:  142| D
25/1

Has good experience around Cheltenham but on the face of it might not have the class to win this but jumps well and has a chance of picking up some money.

17:30 Haxo

19
Haxo46
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-13| J: Kieran Callaghan| T: W P Mullins| OR:  132| D
33/1

Finished sixth in the Ballymore last year so handles the track and the ground will be fine. He’s a tough horse and Kieran’s ridden him before. He’s a lively each-way horse.

17:30 Saylavee

10
Saylavee48
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-4| J: J B Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR:  137
33/1

An interesting one. She has up and down form and probably needs things to go right and might need a longer trip. Testing conditions could bring her into the race though.

17:30 Spanish Harlem

12
Spanish Harlem36
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-2| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR:  135| BF
6/1

A real chasing type who will need to improve to win this, but he has the experience for it now and the ground will be a big help. He fits the right profile of our Martin Pipe winners, a novice going into a handicap, he has every chance, but I think he’s more a horse for next year or the year after rather than a competitive handicap today.

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