Throughout the 2010s, trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Ruby Walsh and the pink and green polka dot silks of esteemed owner Rich Ricci became hugely iconic at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. Over the years, the passionate racegoers at Prestbury Park fell in love with the likes of Faugheen, Annie Power, Douvan, Vautour, Min and many, many more — riding the emotional rollercoaster of their fantastic careers, like the lows of Annie Power’s excruciating fall in the Mares’ Hurdle in 2015 before the highs of her winning the Champion Hurdle just 12 months later.
With those star horses, and Walsh for that matter, now retired, Ricci admitted earlier this year that he is going through a difficult transitional period. A season-ending injury for Gold Cup hopeful Monkfish, who the American businessman was hoping could break his duck in the Festival’s showpiece next month, certainly did him no favours this year, and while he added that he has gone out and bought a lot of horses for the future, he still has several opportunities to add to his personal Cheltenham Festival tally at the 2022 renewal.
Of course, when it comes to Mullins and his new number one rider Paul Townend, the best horse racing betting sites take zero risk. So, it is no surprise that Ricci, who puts a lot of faith in the Irish handler, will see his bank balance boosted with more major victories this year. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of his horses to watch next month. Read on to find out more.
Vauban
One of the newest stars to Ricci’s contingent, only joining Mullins’ Closutton Stables from Philippe Decouz’s French yard on December 20th, Vauban started his racing career on the flat — winning two of his four contests. The four-year-old was beaten by Pied Piper on his jumps debut at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, but he bounced back well with a fantastic Grade 1 victory in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle — beating Fil Dor by a comfortable three lengths. All three of those youngsters are set to go head-to-head in the Triumph Hurdle, Gold Cup Day’s opening race, and there is very little to separate them all in the ante-post market — with Piped Piper and Vauban the joint favourites at 2/1. The Ricci-owned horse is the only Grade 1 winner though, so could have the edge at Prestbury Park.
Allegorie De Vassy
Another horse scouted from France late last year, Allegorie De Vassy made the switch from Marcel Rolland’s yard to County Carlow in November. The mare didn’t exactly arrive with a glowing CV, having failed to win any of her four races over hurdles under the guidance of Rolland, but she made an instant impression in Ireland — winning a Mares Hurdle with ease in January at Fairyhouse on her first appearance before landing a Grade 3 Mares Novice Hurdle back at the County Meath track just a few weeks later. The five-year-old is the one to beat in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park and she’s certainly showing a lot of promise for the future — which could see her follow in the footsteps of Annie Power.
Chacun Pour Soi
Heavy favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last year’s Festival, Chacun Pour Soi could fare no better than third as he trailed Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra over the line in a race that he was expected to win with ease after setting off at 8/13. He replied with a season-ending victory in the Punchestown Champion Chase, beating Gold Cup runner-up Allaho by over five lengths, but he was dead last in his reappearance in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December. A 12-length win over Dunvegan in the Dublin Chase earlier this month has resulted in his odds of winning the Champion Chase slashed, but he will face stiff competition from Shishkin and stablemate Energumene. With those two perhaps too strong, Mullins could also opt for the Ryanair Chase — giving Allaho some much-needed competition.