The National Hunt racing season is upon us, with the recent Open Meeting at Cheltenham acting as the jumps campaigns traditional curtain raiser once again. Fans of the sport will be eagerly anticipating the return of National Hunt racing as they can attend some of the biggest meetings on the calendar again for the first time in over 18 long months.
The top trainers will currently be working tirelessly to get their prized assets ready for the new season, and they will be hoping to build on the success of last year or redeem themselves after a subpar season with little or no luck at the big meetings. With that in mind, read on as we take a look at three trainers going for glory in the upcoming campaign!
Willie Mullins
Where better to start than with Willie Mullins a trainer so used to the sweet taste of success. Leading Trainer at the Cheltenham Festival in eight of the last 10 years, including the last three seasons in a row, any horse from Mullins yard is in with a decent chance of winning at Prestbury Park and beyond. The season ending injury sustained by Monkfish, who was heavily fancied to win the Gold Cup in the horse racing tips, is a massive blow for the Irish trainer, alongside the retirement of Min. However, with the likes of Allaho, Sir Gerhard, Appreciate It, Kilcruit, among many, many other fantastic horses, Mullins is certain to land more big victories this year and we wouldnt be surprised if he took home that top trainer award at Cheltenham again this year.
Henry de Bromhead
Only just beaten to the Cheltenham Festival Leading Trainer accolade by Mullins last season, on the basis of fewer placings, it was still a year to remember for Henry de Bromhead. He may not have been named the best trainer, but he still took home the biggest prizes in the Cotswolds, including the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the prestigious Gold Cup. Thats not all either, as he also won the Grand National at Aintree, where Rachael Blackmore was crowned the first female rider of the historic race as she stormed home aboard Minella Times. The unbeaten Honeysuckle is arguably the horse to watch from the Irishmans yard, but Put The Kettle On, A Plus Tard and Bob Olinger, to name just a few, could all bring De Bromhead more glory.
Paul Nicholls
Few trainers would have left Cheltenham more disappointed than Paul Nicholls last year. An 11-time British Champion Trainer, four Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs, 56 wins at the Festival, nobody would have predicted that the 58-year-old would walk away from Prestbury Park without a single victory, yet he did just that. A couple of Group 1 victories at the Grand National meeting at Aintree, which included Clan Des Obeauxs victory in the Bowl, as well as the Sir Alex Ferguson-trained horses win in the Punchestown Gold Cup, would have softened the blow though. The nine-year-old is already the favourite to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton, while Nicholls will be hoping to bounce back this year with the help of Cyrname, Bravemansgame, Frodon and Next Destination.
