Three Donnelly horses to have on side at Cheltenham - 'A Superstar in the Making'

The Donnellys have established themselves as serious owners in the National Hunt sphere and they certainly know how to buy a talented horse.

They share their horses between Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson, which continues to be a very successful strategy.

It hasn't been the smoothest of seasons for them, with injuries to Sir Gino and State Man, but they have such a strong squad of horses that they remain in the hunt for more Cheltenham Festival winners.

Here are their three best chances of landing a winner at next month's Festival and they include a Henderson horse with the potential to go all the way.

Lulamba - Arkle Novices' Chase (Henderson)

Lulamba arrived from France with a big reputation after winning a race at Auteuil for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille and he didn't disappoint when winning at Ascot with plenty in hand in January 2025.

Beaten in the Triumph Hurdle after that, he was only a neck behind in second.

Henderson's gelding avenged that defeat at the hands of Poniros by beating him comfortably at Punchestown in May. He has since taken very well to fences this term, winning impressively at Exeter before claiming the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

Connections decided to run him in open company at Newbury last time out and he produced a smart performance to win with plenty in hand.

Back against his fellow novices at Cheltenham, he has the world at his feet and looks like a superstar in the making.

Kitzbuhel - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Mullins)

The Mullins-trained Kitzbuhel was fairly useful over hurdles, winning the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle in that sphere, but he didn't quite set the world alight.

Fences have facilitated some improvement this term and he's far from out of this race.

He began the season with a length-and-a-quarter success over stablemate Kaid d'Authie and he has since gone on to win a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Top-level success was next on the agenda for Kitzbuhel too, as he won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

The gelding unshipped Paul Townend fairly early on in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last month so we didn't learn a great deal about him on that occasion.

Further progress could be on the cards but he's entitled to make the frame without stepping forward.

Macho Man - Triumph Hurdle (Mullins)

The Donnellys were clearly big fans of a specific race at Auteuil in October, as they ended up buying the winner and the runner-up. Macho Man was the impressive winner ahead of Feel Gut as the juvenile impressively kicked five lengths clear.

Stablemate Proactif was too good on his first start in Ireland at Fairyhouse last month, but he stuck to his task well, eventually finishing second.

Some better jumps in the latter stages of the race might have allowed him to get closer, but significant improvement is anticipated. Narciso Has injury setback has blown this Triumph Hurdle wide open and it wouldn't be a surprise if Proactif and Macho Man end up filling the first two places once again.