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Melissa Jones

Cheltenham Festival 2022 tips: The 100-1 Willie Mullins acca bookies fear winning

No trainer in the business has won more races at the Cheltenham Festival than Willie Mullins.

Every year the stable's horses are feared by the bookmakers as they chase lucrative prizes throughout the week.

The Carlow handler has sent out more winners than anyone else in his profession there on eight occasions.

Top trainer at Cheltenham for the past three years, Mullins is just 1-3 with the bookies to take another title.

His runners incredibly scooped more than €750,000 in prize money at last month's Dublin Racing Festival.

The haul included six of the eight Grade 1s – the highest level of the sport – during the fixture.

Mullins' most important one is just around the corner and punters will be backing him for more success.

Here are five of the most popular picks the bookies that many will be putting in an accumulator.

Sir Gerhard - Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Tuesday (1.30pm) 9-4

The meeting gets underway with a stellar clash of bright young prospects, with Sir Gerhard heading the pack.

He won in Grade 1 company over hurdles last time, beating a solid yardstick in Three Stripe Life, who had earlier placed at the top level.

The son of Jeremy made all the running that day and won comfortably, despite lacking fluency at his obstacles.

If he can get it all together he will take some stopping at the minimum trip, however Nicky Henderson's pair Constitution Hill and Jonbon deserve plenty of respect.

Sir Gerhard won last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (PA)
Gaelic Warrior - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - Tuesday (4.50pm) 9-4

Owner Rich Ricci's hurdler is one of the most intriguing handicap runners at the whole meeting.

The French recruit is set to debut in Britain on the biggest stage of all.

The four-year-old starts out off a mark of 129, which many punters believe is favourable.

Ricci's racing manager Joe Chambers said: "The form of his last run in France in particular is very strong now in hindsight. The horses around him have gone on to win a number of Grade 2s and one has even won a Grade 1, I think.

"His work at home has been very good, so in Willie we trust. It would be quite an achievement if he can bring him there first time out."

Facile Vega - Champion Bumper - Wednesday (5.30pm) 11-10

A runaway winner of the bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival, Facile Vega earned the praise from Mullins in the aftermath.

The son of multiple Cheltenham Festival winner Quevega defeated a field full of previous winners by 12 lengths.

It followed another eye-catching display on debut, when he scored by six lengths.

The gelding, by a smart sire in Walk In The Park, has a stunning turn of foot.

He has also won on both soft and yielding ground, so there is lots to like, despite the presence of highly-touted rival from Gordon Elliott's yard American Mike.

Allaho - Ryanair Chase - Thursday (2.50pm) 4-6
Allaho was one of Rachael Blackmore's six winners at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival (Getty)

Patrick Mullins' Nap of the whole meeting won the same race in 2021 in devastating fashion.

Setting a strong pace for Rachael Blackmore, he galloped on relentlessly to cross the line with a 12-length advantage.

The ante-post list includes rivals with other targets, including stablemate Energumene, on course for another clash with Shishkin in the Champion Chase and Gold Cup hope A Plus Tard.

Allaho was ahead of Fakir D'oudairies in last year's renewal and saw off the same horse in a Grade 2 at Thurles last month.

That rival advertised the form at Ascot since, another reason for Allaho's supporters to be positive.

Vauban - Triumph Hurdle - Friday (1.30pm) 7-4
Paul Townend riding Vauban to win The Racing TV '12 Per Month This Weekend Only' Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Getty)

Ricci's big hope for the meeting to follow stars like Faugheen and Annie Power into the winners' enclosure.

Willie Mullins' horse looked talented when taking the scalp of the previously unbeaten Fil Dor at the Dubin Racing Festival.

He suffered interference and made a mistake at the last when beaten by Pied Piper on debut – and is fancied by many to gain his revenge.

Racing TV is the only channel broadcasting every race live from the Cheltenham Festival, with two exclusive races each day. For a limited time, you can join Racing TV for half price for the Festival – just £12.49 a month for an entire year, with promo code "RTVCHELT50". Click this link for details

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