Willie Mullins follows a tried-and-tested route to the Cheltenham Festival - plus a Nicky Henderson runner to note
Punting pointers for Monday's four meetings at Punchestown, Exeter, Lingfield and Wolverhampton

Punting pointers from Monday's meetings. . .
Exeter: Skelton bids to widen gap with Nicholls
There are not too many cards at Exeter without a runner from the Paul Nicholls stable and trainers' championship leader Dan Skelton looks to capitalise on his absence with three live chances.
The 3m handicap chase (2.38) is the most valuable race on the card and topweight Illico De Cotte is the early favourite, having taken well to fences in his two starts at Carlisle, including a promising third in December.
Skelton said: "The trip and track are suitable for him as it's a big galloping track. The ground shouldn't really be an issue but I think he's got a chance, though I wouldn't say he's necessarily the one to beat."
Skelton also saddles Realco, who is the only winner under rules in the 2m½f bumper (4.08), having scored for Tom Weston last season before joining the yard, and Doyouknowwhatimean looks to bounce back in the 2m1½f handicap chase (3.08).
Key stat: Henderson sole-runner tip
Nicky Henderson is in great form with two winners from five runners in 2025 (40 per cent) and has just one runner on Monday, As The Fella Says in the 2m½f maiden hurdle (2.08) at Exeter.
Lingfield: Tadreeb's hat-trick bid
Tadreeb attempts to become the first horse to notch three wins in 2025 as Rod Millman heads back to Lingfield with the seven-year-old.
He has thrived for the switch to Devon, winning a 7f handicap on his stable debut on January 3, then followed up by a wider margin on Wednesday. A similar test awaits in Monday's 7f handicap (1.30).
He carries a 4lb penalty for the hat-trick bid, but apprentice Oliver Searle again takes off 5lb. He is bidding for a fifth course win, with his previous two achieved at Class 2 level in 2022.
Millman said: "On his best form with a previous trainer he seems to be very well handicapped. We had him for a few months before he ran and the break seems to have done him a lot of good.
"He seems to like the track and it's his last chance to run there this month, and we're chasing the bonus for winning his first three starts of the month. We've still got to win it first, but it's a valuable target worth aiming at."
Key stat: Tom Ward is a trainer to watch
Tom Ward is 5-15 (33%), with a level stake profit of £35.25, with runners in three-year-old handicaps at Lingfield. He looks to continue his good record with Perfect Parole in the second division of the mile handicap (3.00).
Punchestown: Mullins newcomer catches the eye
Willie Mullins likes to target the mares' bumper (3.48) at Punchestown and Introversio looks to follow a similar route to high-class performers Relegate and Maughreen.
Relegate went on to win the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2018 a few months after her breakthrough here, while the well-touted Maughreen is only 5-1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at this season's meeting after her 11-length romp 12 months ago.
It means all eyes will be on the five-year-old, who is a half-sister to Listed winner Honky Tonk Highway. She runs for owners Bruton Street, who had success with Dublin Racing Festival-bound Sounds Victorius on New Year's Day.
Wolverhampton: Carlton attempts quickfire five-timer
James Owen continues to impress and will look to complete a five-timer with Carlton, who has proved unbeatable since joining the Newmarket yard.
All the five-year-old's victories have come at Chelmsford, with two each in December and January. He has been in red-hot form during the cold snap, winning easily on Thursday before following up in good fashion on Saturday.
Monday's race (5.30) will be Carlton's first taste of Wolverhampton, while apprentice Jack Dace also gets his first opportunity on the son of Frankel. He has a 5lb penalty to overcome, the same amount his rider takes off.
Monday's racing:
Free horse racing tips for Monday January 13 at Exeter, Lingfield and Wolverhampton

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- 4.10 Taunton: 'It's a nice race for him' - can Liari get back to winning ways in feature handicap hurdle?
- Mares' Novices' Hurdle entries meet at Market Rasen and James Owen improver goes for six-timer - punting pointers for Tuesday
- 2.50 Carlisle: can the JP McManus-owned Fortunate Man defy a career-high mark in feature handicap chase?
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- A rare jumps runner for David O'Meara and novice out to remain unbeaten - punting pointers for Sunday