Cheltenham 2023 Tips - Willie Mullins Lucky 15

Willie Mullins was, again, the dominant force at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Five winners on Gold Cup day helped Ireland's Champion Trainer end the meeting with a record ten winners, landing Leading Trainer honours for the ninth time in the last eleven years.

Mullins' dominance shows no signs of slowing down in 2023, if the busy Christmas period of racing is anything to go by. Willie racked up 13 victories during the Leopardstown Festival, saddling seven of the nine graded winners during that four-day meeting.

Many Willie Mullins horses produced noteworthy performances at Leopardstown and elsewhere over the festive period. Here are four of Willie's Christmas winners who could follow up at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Having looked like a real star in the making during her brief novice hurdles campaign, SHEWEARSITWELL seemed to have completely lost her way.

In an attempt to spark a return to form, Mullins sent Shewearsitwell to a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown in November. Paul Townend's mount travelled sweetly at the rear of the field and moved smoothly into contention between the final two flights, before getting up under the shadow of the post to snatch a narrow victory.

Over Christmas, Mullins' mare dropped back down to two-and-a-half miles to take on Queens Brook in the Grade Three Mares' Hurdle at Leopardstown. Gordon Elliott's mare was heavily backed before the off, but Queen's Brook was no match for Shewearsitwell, who showed her rival a clean set of heels as she pulled five lengths clear on the extended run to the line.

Having rediscovered her swagger and with that impressive victory over last year's Mares' Hurdle runner-up under her belt, Shewearsitwell could be a massive player in the 2023 Mares' Hurdle - a race that Willie Mullins always prioritises.

Willie Mullins unleashed several talented novice chasers during December. Appreciate It won nicely on debut and the former Superme Novices' Hurdle winner looks set for a tilt at the Arkle. El Fabiolo also made a taking chasing debut and he too could be set for another clash with Jonbon in this year's Arkle.

One who I think could be stepped up in distance to target the 2023 Turners' Novices' Chase is DYSART DYNAMO, who was a bit of a tearaway over hurdles. Mullins' star showed he had stacks of ability and a huge engine last term, but a lack of respect for the smaller obstacles cost Dysart Dynamo dearly at the big spring festivals.

On his chase debut at Leopardstown last week, Dysart Dynamo was much more professional. Paul Townend's mount was still a little head-strong early on, but he settled into the race much quicker than he did over hurdles, galloping to a hugely impressive 28-length victory over 138-rated hurdler in Irascible.

Mullins stepped Sir Gerhard up in trip at Cheltenham last season, in a bid to help his star settle, and he could do the same with Dysart Dynamo, who's natural cruising speed and agility could be a real weapon around the tighter New course at Cheltenham.

Every Lucky 15 needs a banker selection, and LOSSIEMOUTH is the only horse currently worth backing for the 2023 Triumph Hurdle.

Mullins' filly came from off the pace to win on debut at Fairyhouse, swatting away stablemate Zarak The Brave and a future Grade Two winner in Comfort Zone with apparent ease. At Leopardstown, Lossiemouth made the running under Paul Townend, quickly putting eight lengths between herself and the chasing pack after a fine jump at the last.

I wouldn't normally advise taking 6/4 at this stage of the season. However, this isn't a single bet and I couldn't put up a Willie Mullins multiple without including this dazzling grey juvenile.

While it provided a huge amount of excitement on Gold Cup day, last year's Mares' Chase was lacking in star quality. Elimay claimed a narrow victory as she crossed the line alongside Pink Legend, Scarlet And Dove and Zambella. Concertista was still in with a chance turning for home, despite clearly hating the sight of a fence.

Even before she had jumped a fence in public, ALLEGORIE DE VASSY topped the 2023 Mares' Chase betting. A Grade Three winner over Brandy Love last term, Mullins' mare was handed her chase debut at Limerick over Christmas, and boy did Willie's six-year-old impress.

Allegorie De Vassy jumped beautifully as she ground her rivals into submission. Sean O'Keeffe's mare dived at the second-last and was steadied into the final flight, but that didn't take the gloss off what was an extremely taking chase debut. Allegorie De Vassy was the favourite for last year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle before injury curtailed her campaign. I'd like to see her run again before the Cheltenham Festival, but as things stand, the 2023 Mares' Chase is there for Allegorie De Vassy's taking.