WILLIE MULLINS will be Galopin down the road to more big-race glory.
The Closutton maestro may be knocking on a bit at 66 — but he has no plans to hand over the reigns to his son Patrick just yet.
And his team of Galacticos will take some stopping.
Such is his squad strength only a couple of star strikers from Britain would even make it into a Mullins top 50.
Last year he set a Festival record with 10 winners and, incredibly, needs just 12 more to make it 100 winners at jumping’s jamboree.
Given his sheer dominance in Ireland, the great man has always wanted to win the UK trainers’ title and he is 10-1 to do it. The bookies are taking a risk with that price.
The top trainer is dreaming of a third Gold Cup and he has his very own pin-up boy in Galopin Des Champs.
The good-looking six-year-old was a revelation over fences last season enjoying a stellar novice campaign. After his imperious win at Fairyhouse, Mullins said ‘he looks like a Gold Cup contender’.
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And the yard isn’t short of a back-up or two either with Allaho, Capodanno, Monkfish and Stattler all more than able substitutes.
Especially Allaho, who is already a champion in his own right. A dual winner of the Ryanair, he looked unstoppable when bolting up by 14 lengths in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
The high-class chaser is 6-4 favourite for the King George and a big win there and connections might not be able to resist a shot at gold.
Energumene, who famously runs in the blue and white silks of Brighton owner Tony Bloom, sets the standard in the two-mile division.
He hacked up in the Champion Chase and was equally as impressive at Punchestown.
His Clarence House clash with Shishkin lives long in the memory. Yet Energumene might not have it all his own way at home with Grade 1-winning stablemates Ferny Hollow and Gentleman De Mee already prominent in the Champion Chase betting.
Mullins has won the Champion Hurdle four times and he has two live contenders in State Man and Vauban.
However, only a brave man would bet against Consititution Hill or reigning champ Honeysuckle in that.
It’s in the novices that Mullins has his best ammo to fire. Champion Bumper hero Facile Vega heads a long list of top prospects over timber.
But don’t forget Gaelic Warrior, James’ Gate, Madmansgame and Redemption Day — they should all reach the top.
In the novice chase department, look no further than Closutton.
Over two miles Mullins has Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo, El Fabiolo, Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard.
And the staying novice chasers are equally as exciting with Allegorie De Vassy, Minella Cocooner and The Nice Guy all set to take high rank.
Mullins has won 12 Champion Bumpers and has stocked up for the future. Chapeau De Soleil was a private buy for Rich Ricci and is 16-1 to make it lucky 13 for Mullins.
Another top prospect to watch out for is Fact To File, who has been bought by mega-bucks J P McManus.
Of course, it is not all about the Mullins monopoly.
Henry De Bromhead, 49, has won two Gold Cups, two Champion Hurdles, a Champion Chase and a Grand National in the last two years.
However all the glory on the track has been put into perspective after the tragic death of his young son Jack in a pony racing accident.
It will be a hard season for De Bromhead and, understandably, he says he is taking it ‘one day at a time’.
No victory will ever feel the same again but he has a superb team in Waterford and, of course, two of the best horses in jump racing.
His two powerhouses are A Plus Tard and Honeysuckle.
A Plus Tard was astonishing in the Gold Cup when winning by 15 lengths.
There are doubts about the horses he beat but he can be backed at 4-1 to retain his crown and will again start in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Honeysuckle can also be backed at a knocking 4-1 to win a third Champion Hurdle. She is the queen of Knockeen and has won all 16 starts, including 12 Grade 1s and two Champion Hurdles.
A win double on De Bromhead’s tow big guns is 24-1 and you even nick a small profit each-way.
The 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is not the force of old, but De Bromhead still loves Bob Olinger.
Envoi Allen has lost his aura of invincibility, but there are races to be won with him while Grand National hero Minella Times could be one to thrive in Cross Country races.
Looking to the future, De Bromhead’s novice chase prospects Journey With Me, Life In The Park and Quilixios have all schooled well and there are a couple in the Bumper ranks worth looking out for. An Tobar was a private purchase for Robcour and expectations are high.
Barry The Butcher will also be staking a claim as one of the best around.
Talking of meaty lads, we come to big Gordon Elliott.
The 44-year-old has won all the big ones bar a Champion Hurdle has been busy at the sales with big-spending owners not shy in flashing the cash.
Better Days Ahead cost a cool £350,000 and is expected to pay that back by winning the Champion Bumper.
Croke Park was a £400,000 buy for Gigginstown and watch out for Deeply Superficial. It took 385 big ones to sign her up after she hosed up in her point-to-point.
Gold Cup runner up Galvin heads the yard’s established stars and should be set for another good season after a slick return at Punchestown.
The eight-year-old goes for the Grade 1 Chase at Down Royal early next month and will be hard to beat.
Conflated is another Gold Cup contender for Cullentra House. He may have been a shock winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last season, but there was no fluke about it. He’s likely to join Galvin at Down Royal.
Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Mighty Potter is the apple of Elliott’s eye and he looks a serious contender for the Arkle at Cheltenham.
American Mike is another held in high regard by Elliott and will surely reach the top over hurdles.
Gerri Colombe and Minella Crooner could be big players against the staying novice chasers and Sire Du Berlais, Teahupoo, Three Stripe Life and Zanahiyr will all more than pay their way.
However Elliott, like the rest of us, knows we all live in Willie’s world.
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