Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins has arguably never gone into a Cheltenham Festival before with a stronger group of horses as he does this year. He has leading chances across the week, including in the five championship races at the meeting.

Mullins holds the record for the most victories by any trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with 94 winners. He could hit the century mark this year with another good week.

Galopin Des Champs - The Big Hope in Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race in jumps racing. Mullins has won the Blue Riband contest three times, including in 2023 with Galopin Des Champs. His star chaser is the 5/4 favourite for those placing a bet at Cheltenham this year on the day four feature.

In the Cheltenham Festival top trainer odds, Mullins is the 1/16 favourite to lift the trophy. A victory for Galopin Des Champs in the Friday highlight may prove crucial, just as it did 12 months ago when he beat Bravemansgame by nine lengths.

The 2023 winner has been successful in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup this season already. A second Gold Cup triumph would complete a hat-trick of major victories in the campaign for the eight-year-old.

State Man Now the One to Beat in Champion Hurdle

Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man is bidding to replicate what Honeysuckle achieved in 2022 by winning the Leopardstown contest and the Champion Hurdle in the same season. With defending champion Constitution Hill ruled out of the race, he is now the warm favourite for the day one contest.

State Man has prevailed in 10 of his 13 races over hurdles. He has been triumphant in three Grade One races this season, as he also landed the Morgiana Hurdle and Matheson Hurdle in the opening half of the campaign.

Mullins’ hurdler finished second in the Champion Hurdle in 2023. This looks like an opportunity for him to go one place better and give his trainer a fifth victory in the premier hurdles contest.

El Fabiolo Puts 100% Record on The Line In Queen Mother Champion Chase

After recording six wins from six appearances over fences, El Fabiolo is the most dominant horse in the 2m chase division heading into the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Last season’s Arkle Trophy Challenge winner has looked even better this season outside of novice company.

Mullins has campaigned his chaser lightly this season, as he has only had two runs before the Cheltenham Festival. He won the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, before adding to his tally at the Dublin Racing Festival in the Dublin Chase.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight on day two of the meeting at Prestbury Park. It will see El Fabiolo take on leading British 2m chaser Jonbon in what is billed as one of the best duals of the week.

Mullins has several entries on each of the four days at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. A big week could help him close the gap on Paul Nicholls at the top of the British trainers’ championship.