Willie Mullins has the horses to make a fast start on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Leader d’Allier (12-1, William Hill)
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 1.20pm
PRE-CHRISTMAS, THE talk was that Leader d’Allier was Willie Mullins’ main hope for the Supreme, only for a disappointing run during a spell when quite a few of his stablemates were also out of form. The French recruit bounced back impressively at Punchestown in January when he was sent off at odds of 1-4 and looked pretty awesome, with the well-beaten second easily beating a big field next time.
This year’s Supreme is, even by the standards of the day’s opener, notably deep regarding potential stars. I got the impression from the preview night circuit that another Mullins hopeful, Mighty Park, is thought to be superior to his stablemate, but Leader d’Allier has so much going for him, he warrants the nod nonetheless at the prices.
He could well be the first pick of Paul Townend and reminds me a little of Champagne Fever, who was a gambled-on winner in this race for Mullins in 2013.
How did Gaelic Warrior get beaten in this race in 2022? It remains something of a mystery to this day.
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The horse who ruined so many punters’ hopes that afternoon was Brazil and now his half-brother, Saratoga, bids to take the Fred Winter for the very same connections.
Saratoga has been quietly campaigned, and it appears as though the British handicapper is onto it; JP McManus’s hopeful has been given a fairly tough mark. Moreover, the bookmakers are in on the plot. Since Saratoga’s eye-catching second at Naas last month, he has been the favourite for this, or thereabouts.
There are a scatter of dangers, and at least one of them will likely beat him, but I still can’t get away from him to bring home a Festival win for excellent trainer Paudie Roche.
Are Anzadam, left, and Paul Townend the each-way value in next week's Champion Hurdle? Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Anzadam (16-1, William Hill)
Champion Hurdle, 4pm
Of all the horses that I’ve tipped in recent weeks, this is the one that has been subjected to the most ridicule, and one can see why.
Anzadam – who looked potentially top-class last year – failed to win the Fighting Fifth even though the race fell apart, and he has been pretty well beaten twice since at Leopardstown.
I am giving him the benefit of a suspicion that he simply wants a strong pace on decent ground. I have been wrong before, but at 16-1 each-way, I am willing to be wrong again.
William Hill are Non-Runner Money Back on all 28 races from the Cheltenham Festival! So now you can bet safe in the knowledge that if your runner doesn’t turn up next week, you’ll get your money back. Don’t forget to download the William Hill app and as always remember 18+ and gamble responsibly. Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Ready for Cheltenham? Here are three bets to hopefully get off to a flyer on Day One
Leader d’Allier (12-1, William Hill)
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 1.20pm
PRE-CHRISTMAS, THE talk was that Leader d’Allier was Willie Mullins’ main hope for the Supreme, only for a disappointing run during a spell when quite a few of his stablemates were also out of form. The French recruit bounced back impressively at Punchestown in January when he was sent off at odds of 1-4 and looked pretty awesome, with the well-beaten second easily beating a big field next time.
This year’s Supreme is, even by the standards of the day’s opener, notably deep regarding potential stars. I got the impression from the preview night circuit that another Mullins hopeful, Mighty Park, is thought to be superior to his stablemate, but Leader d’Allier has so much going for him, he warrants the nod nonetheless at the prices.
He could well be the first pick of Paul Townend and reminds me a little of Champagne Fever, who was a gambled-on winner in this race for Mullins in 2013.
Saratoga (11-2, William Hill)
Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle, 2.20pm
How did Gaelic Warrior get beaten in this race in 2022? It remains something of a mystery to this day.
The horse who ruined so many punters’ hopes that afternoon was Brazil and now his half-brother, Saratoga, bids to take the Fred Winter for the very same connections.
Saratoga has been quietly campaigned, and it appears as though the British handicapper is onto it; JP McManus’s hopeful has been given a fairly tough mark. Moreover, the bookmakers are in on the plot. Since Saratoga’s eye-catching second at Naas last month, he has been the favourite for this, or thereabouts.
There are a scatter of dangers, and at least one of them will likely beat him, but I still can’t get away from him to bring home a Festival win for excellent trainer Paudie Roche.
Anzadam (16-1, William Hill)
Champion Hurdle, 4pm
Of all the horses that I’ve tipped in recent weeks, this is the one that has been subjected to the most ridicule, and one can see why.
Anzadam – who looked potentially top-class last year – failed to win the Fighting Fifth even though the race fell apart, and he has been pretty well beaten twice since at Leopardstown.
I am giving him the benefit of a suspicion that he simply wants a strong pace on decent ground. I have been wrong before, but at 16-1 each-way, I am willing to be wrong again.
William Hill are Non-Runner Money Back on all 28 races from the Cheltenham Festival! So now you can bet safe in the knowledge that if your runner doesn’t turn up next week, you’ll get your money back. Don’t forget to download the William Hill app and as always remember 18+ and gamble responsibly. Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Cheltenham 2026 Horse Racing Sponsored By William Hill