RacingBetter News
	Friday 7th March 2025

Mullins’ Mastery Unveiled: How Willie’s Army Could Sweep Cheltenham 2025

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, unfolding from March 11-14 across 28 races, looms as Willie Mullins’ playground—a four-day canvas where Ireland’s master trainer could paint a masterpiece of dominance. With a battalion boasting Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup), Fact To File (Ryanair), Absurd (County Hurdle), and Copc de Mai (Supreme), Mullins’ army stands poised to sweep Prestbury Park. In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, the panel—Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, David Jennings, Nicky Henderson, and Ed Nicholson—marveled at his firepower, but rival threats and ground shifts add intrigue. Can Mullins’ mastery reign supreme, or will cracks emerge in his Cheltenham fortress?

The Heavy Artillery: Galopin Des Champs’ Gold Cup Quest

Mullins’ crown jewel, Galopin Des Champs, anchors his assault at 2/5 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (16:00, March 14)—a nine-year-old titan chasing a historic third straight win. “He’s the one to beat—two in a row’s no fluke,” Kealy declared, nodding to his 2023 and 2024 triumphs over 3 miles 2 furlongs, outlasting Bravemansgame and Gerri Colombe with relentless stamina. His Punchestown rout last month—an eight-length demolition of Fact To File—cements his status. “He’s a machine—stays and jumps,” Nicholson marveled, his 11 Grade 1 wins a testament to Mullins’ polish. Only Golden Miller’s five Golds outshine this quest—Friday’s finale could etch Mullins’ name deeper into history.

The Midweek Muscle: Fact To File and Absurd’s Handicap Haul

Thursday’s Ryanair Chase (15:20, March 13) flexes with Fact To File at 2/1—a boost from 6/4 reflecting punter faith. “He’s got the Brown Advisory in his legs—raw but talented,” Kealy said, his 2024 festival win over 3 miles 2 furlongs a springboard. Segal’s skeptical: “Overrated—Protektorat’s better value at 6/1,” but Mullins’ plotting shines—Fact’s light campaign keeps him fresh for 17 fences. “He’s a midweek monster,” Jennings grinned, a win here bolstering Ireland’s tally.

Friday’s County Handicap Hurdle (14:00, March 14) unleashes Absurd at 8/1, boosted from 6/1—Kealy’s nap. “Laid out for this—cruised at Leopardstown,” he argued, citing a four-length qualifier win off 135 over 2 miles. “Class over hype—Mullins knows handicaps,” Kealy added, his Arctic Fire (2015, 20/1) legacy echoing. Facing King of Kingsfield (5/1), Absurd’s freshness—two wins from three starts—could clinch the £100,000 purse, a handicap coup to cap Mullins’ week.

The Opening Salvo: Copc de Mai’s Supreme Strike

Tuesday’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (13:20, March 11) fires the starting gun with Copc de Mai at 11/10, boosted from 5/4—a Mullins banker Nicholson calls “untouchable early.” “Leopardstown was electric—five lengths, soft ground,” he said, his Christmas romp a pace-setting clinic over 2 miles. “He’s versatile—Supreme or Martin Pipe, he’s gold,” Kealy noted, his 16/1 to 6/1 Martin Pipe drift showing multi-race menace. Segal’s sold: “He’s too good Day 1—sets the tone.” Eight hurdles kick off Mullins’ sweep—Copc’s the opening salvo, Ireland’s flag flying high.

The Ground Game: Mullins’ Turf Advantage
Weather could sharpen Mullins’ edge—softish early, drying by Friday, per clerk Jon Pullin’s good-to-soft base as of March 6. “Soft suits Gallopin—2024 was mud-soaked,” Kealy said, his Gold Cup wins on tacky turf a bog master’s badge. Copc de Mai “revels in it—Tuesday’s his,” Nicholson added, while Absurd “handles both—freshness wins,” Kealy hedged. Fact To File’s “adaptable—soft or good,” per Jennings, keeps him in play.

Drying ground? “Friday’s firm favors speed—Gallopin’s class cuts through,” Henderson mused, a rival’s nod to Mullins’ depth. Dive into Cheltenham odds—Unibet’s non-runner no bet offer locks in boosts like 11/10 and 8/1, turf shifts a Mullins ally. “Weather’s his weapon—soft start, strong finish,” Segal said, the ground game tilting toward an Irish sweep.

The Rival Threat: Henderson and Elliott Strike Back

Mullins’ mastery faces fire—Nicky Henderson’s quartet and Gordon Elliott’s raiders loom large. Henderson’s Jonbon (Queen Mother, 11/10) “silences doubters Wednesday,” Nico de Boinville vowed, his Kempton Christmas Chase a six-length statement. Watch his flair—a British titan challenging Mullins’ midweek grip:

Elliott’s Teahupoo (Stayers’, evens) “rules the mud Thursday,” Kealy countered, while East India Dock (Triumph, 2/1) “tests Lou Lamber Friday,” Segal warned. “Mullins has depth—rivals have stars,” Nicholson said, the market humming—Gallopin’s 2/5 tight, Fact’s 2/1 splitting bets. “It’s not a cakewalk—Henderson and Elliott bite back,” Jennings mused, Ireland’s sweep facing a British-Irish slugfest.

The Mastery Metrics: Mullins’ Cheltenham Legacy

Mullins’ festival record—100 wins, six Gold Cups—sets the bar. “He’s a plotter—peaks them perfect,” Kealy said, Absurd’s handicap prep echoing Arctic Fire’s guile. Gallopin’s Galway Plate (2022) launched his reign—Fact To File’s novice roots, Copc’s bumper flair build on it. “He’s got six last year—could hit eight,” Nicholson predicted, eyeing past sweeps (2015, 10 wins). “Depth’s insane—rivals need miracles,” Jennings grinned, Mullins’ army a machine oiled for domination—Copc Tuesday, Fact Thursday, Absurd Friday, Gallopin’s golden cap.

Sweep or Stumble: Mullins’ Cheltenham Verdict

Will Willie’s army sweep Cheltenham 2025? “Gallopin’s king—Friday’s his coronation,” Nicholson declared, 2/5 a punter’s lock. “Fact’s midweek muscle, Absurd’s handicap gold—Copc starts it,” Kealy predicted, a four-day haul in sight. Segal’s cautious: “They’re beatable—ground flips it; Banbridge, Teahupoo lurk.” Henderson’s pragmatic: “He’s the one to catch—takes some doing.”

From March 11’s soft salvo to March 14’s dry finale—Supreme to Gold Cup—Mullins’ mastery unfolds. “It’s his festival—I’d be amazed if he doesn’t hit six,” Jennings said, the stakes crackling. With Unibet’s boosts—11/10 (Copc), 2/1 (Fact), 8/1 (Absurd), 2/5 (Gallopin)—back the sweep. “He’s the maestro—Cheltenham’s his symphony,” Kealy mused, Ireland’s titan poised to reign. Can Mullins’ army conquer all, or will rivals steal the baton?