(3 minutes read)
Some say he is the King of The Cheltenham Festival. Some even say he IS The Cheltenham Festival. However, the indisputable facts speak for themselves: Willie Mullins has saddled 103 winners at The Cheltenham Festival which includes a record-breaking haul of 10 winners in one festival alone.
It is a daunting performance which has had bookies running and punters revelling. And it is set to continue into this year’s Cheltenham Festival 2025.
However, considering the vast number of runners which Mullins sends to the Festival, it is prudent to do some homework before launching into every Mullins entry! The County Carlow handler has had disappointments as well as epic triumphs. So which ones will win?
In this exciting preview, we have set aside those horses which we feel can be categorised as Cheltenham Festival 2025 bankers: solid bets with minimal chances of getting beaten. Plus, we look at those big talking Mullins horses who may be at risk of defeat, which we have affectionately called Bismarcks!
Look out for the Banker or Bismarck choice!
Finally, we will look at the handicaps to see which of the Mullins entries could pull of a big priced coup.
The Willie Mullins Bankers or Bismarcks?
The bookmakers ate fearing a big Willie Mullins accumulator bomb on Day 1. And they are right to be scared.
Tuesday March 11th, The Supreme Novices Hurdle, KAPEK DES BORDES
This five-year-old has gone from strength to strength. Kopek Des Bordes really underlined his Supreme credentials with a devastating effortless victory in the Grade 1 hurdle event at Leopardstown. 
Difficult to see where any danger may emerge for the opening race on Day 1. Effective chaser in the making.
Banker or Bismarck: BANKER
Best odds: 4/5 William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
Tuesday March 11th, The Arkle, MAJBOROUGH
This race is now a completely different proposition since the withdrawal of Sir Gino. Extremely hard to see who will get near this McManus owned chaser. Jumps beautifully and travels well. Should be the second of a formidable Cheltenham Festival acca which the bookmakers are fearing.
Banker or Bismarck: BANKER
Best odds: 4/7 Bet365
Tuesday March 11th, The Mares Hurdle, LOSSIEMOUTH
A very tricky race to analyse with a few dithering between this and The Champion Hurdle. 
If Lossiemouth opts for this and Brighterdaysahead decides to take on Constitution Hill in The Champion Hurdle, the Mullins mare should oblige but she has not had the ideal season with defeat to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle and a fall in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Banker or Bismarck: BISMARCK
Best odds: 7/4 Betfred NRNB.
Wednesday March 12th, The Turner Novices Hurdle, FINAL DEMAND
This is another exciting emerging talent from the Mullins yard and should take some beating in this novice championship on Day 2. However, the threat from The New Lion and The Yellow Clay is considerable. Final Demand is a fragile favourite indeed.
Banker or Bismarck: BISMARCK
Best odds: 6/4 bet365
Wednesday March 13th, The Brown Advisory Novices Chase, BALLYBURN
This looks like an exciting Mullins match between Ballyburn and Dancing City. Nothing certain here and best avoided.
Banker or Bismark: BISMARCK
Best odds: 7/4 Bet Victor and Betfred.
Friday 14th March, The Cheltenham Gold Cup, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
The superstar bidding for a third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs just needs to turn up, get into his rhythm and jump the fences to emulate the likes of Best Mate and Arkle.
Banker of Bismarck: BANKER
Best odds: ½ Bet365, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
The Handicaps
Friday 14th March, The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, KOPECK DE MEE
JP McManus was so impressed with this horse on the continent that he wasted no time snapping him up for Willie Mullins. He has been allotted a rating of 136 which could be way short of his ability as the horse has never ridden in Britain or Ireland. Hence, punters have seized on a potential Cheltenham Festival handicap coup and backed him into single figures for the Martin Pipe, final race of the meeting.
Best odds: 4/1 Bet365 paying 5 places.
Wednesday 12th March, The County Handicap Hurdle, KARNIQUET
Has been targeted for this by the Mullins team and has run creditably all season although his latest run, a distant second to Kopek Des Bordes can be ignored. His rating of 146 is fair and is sure to be there or thereabouts. Mullins has a good record for targeting this race.
Best odds: 12/1 William Hill NRNB and paying 5 places.
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