'I can see ourselves being more proactive going to Cheltenham' - Willie Mullins set to target track's early-season meetings

Willie Mullins could target Cheltenham's earlier meetings with a bigger team than usual as Ireland's perennial champion trainer plots a possible defence of his first British title.

Last season, Mullins became the first Irish trainer to win the British title since Vincent O'Brien achieved the feat in 1954. It was a campaign dominated by a surge in the spring, with the Closutton maestro scooping more than £1.6 million in prize-money in March, including State Man's win in the Champion Hurdle and a second Gold Cup success for Galopin Des Champs at the Cheltenham Festival.

A further 14 winners in Britain in April, headlined by I Am Maximus's Grand National heroics, enabled Mullins to beat Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton to the championship, but the approach could be different this season.

Mullins said: “I think we will probably have a few more entries than we usually have at the earlier Cheltenham meetings. 

“You have had a lot of rain in England compared to what we have had over here so the ground will not be an issue as it can be in other years for us. 

‘‘I can see ourselves being more proactive going to Cheltenham.’’

Willie Mullins: could take on the likes of Paul Nicholls earlier in the campaignCredit: Edward Whitaker

Despite his dominance at the spring festivals, Mullins has not typically targeted Britain in the first half of the season. In the 2022-23 campaign, he had just one winner from ten runners before March, and even last season's title-winning effort featured just five winners from 21 runners before the spring.

Speaking at a stable visit organised by the Jockey Club, Mullins indicated some of his stable stars could be in action in the first half of the season in Britain.

Gaelic Warrior, the winner of last season's Arkle, could be part of the Mullins team for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26, with Fact To File and Asterion Forlonge also under consideration.

In the two-mile chase division, Mullins said Energumene and El Fabiolo had the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 7 on their radar.

Mullins said: "Last season we were trying to make Gaelic Warrior into a three-miler and I had no problem with him going three miles, but he ended up winning the Arkle on his first attempt over fences at two miles. 

“He looks a natural to it but he could kick up to be a King George VI Chase horse as well. He had that sort of ability but we will have a chat with Rich [Ricci, owner] first and see what direction he wants to go. He could do any trip – he's an extraordinary horse.

"We have a lot of horses which could go to the King George. Galopin Des Champs will probably be at Leopardstown, where he won last year, but Fact To File could and also Asterion Forlonge, who ran a great race in it a few years ago.”

Mullins has had eight runners already in Britain this season, winning with half of them at the likes of Bangor, Fontwell and Worcester.

Read these next:

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'JP's keen to have a horse who can try to win two and maybe a third' - back-to-back Grand Nationals the target for I Am Maximus 

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