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

Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival day one runners including State Man, Facile Vega and Gaillard Du Mesnil

By Willie Mullins
Horse Racing
Tue March 14, 2023 · 2y ago

Check out the thoughts of our star columnist Willie Mullins as he looks to get the 2023 Cheltenham Festival off to the best possible start.

Sky Bet Cheltenham Festival Specials - Willie Mullins-trained winners today

  • 2 or more winners today 1/8
  • 3 or more winners today 4/5
  • 4 or more winners today 3/1
  • 5 or more winners today 12/1

Click here for the latest odds and offers

Cheltenham Festival - Tuesday

16:50 Tekao

2
Tekaoh38
Age: 4|  Weight: 11-5| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR:  135| D
3/1

Tekao has been running well all season and I think he's a horse who will keep improving as his jumping is very good. He comes here in great form and with an excellent chance of justifying favouritism.

16:50 Risk Belle

6
Risk Belle37
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: W P Mullins| OR:  127| BF
10/1

She fell last time but is a good jumper and I think we haven't seen the best of this mare yet. I could easily see her having a nice mark and being competitive in this race. I wouldn't discount her and she has a chance.

Sky Bet Cheltenham Festival Specials - Willie Mullins-trained winners today

  • 2 or more winners today 1/8
  • 3 or more winners today 4/5
  • 4 or more winners today 3/1
  • 5 or more winners today 12/1

Click here for the latest odds and offers

17:30 Gaillard Du Mesnil

4
Gaillard Du Mesnil37
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR:  155
10/11

He's probably one of Patrick's best rides of the whole week and will come in here as the favourite. He's a second-season novice which I think might be a huge advantage in a race like this where experience is key. He's in form and everything will suit him including the ground - he ticks all the boxes so with a clear round would be hard to oppose.

17:30 Tenzing

9
Tenzing52
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N McParlan| T: W P Mullins| OR:  143| BF
9/1

He surprised us in his last couple of runs and he's improving all the time. With the benefit of Noel McParlan - who has a couple of wins around Cheltenham to his name - Tenzing could run another career best.

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