Willie Mullins has trained a record 113 Cheltenham Festival winners
He has been leading trainer at The Festival a record 12 times
Twice in the last four years Mullins has trained 10 winners at the meeting
Willie Mullins continues to redefine the boundaries of possibility when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival, with the Irish powerhouse now sitting on a staggering 113 winners at this most prestigious meeting of them all.
In context, that is 40 more than Nicky Henderson – the next best – while Paul Nicholls is third on the all-time list with 49.
It seems certain that Mullins will add to his tally when Cheltenham lights up from Tuesday, March 10 until Friday, March 13 for the 2026 Festival.
Here we are looking at 10 of the leading Mullins contenders for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Kopek Des Bordes – Arkle Novices' Chase (March 10)
Mullins has won the Arkle six times since 2014 and last year's Supreme Novices' winner Kopek Des Bordes is a major contender now. We have bnot seen him since November, so all eyes will be on him at the Dublin Racing Festival on January 31 in the Goffs Irish Arkle.
Kopek Des Bordes to win the Arkle at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Lossiemouth – Champion Hurdle (March 10)
This outstanding mare swerved the Champion Hurdle a year ago and proved far too strong in the Mares' Hurdle, taking her Cheltenham record to 4-4 with a third Festival success. She has won a pair of Grade 1s over two miles in Ireland and may now take on this challenge.
Lossiemouth to win the Champion Hurdle @ 11/2 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Final Demand – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (March 11)
A smart novice over hurdles last season, Final Demand has looked a superstar in the making in his two chase wins this season, including the Grade 1 Faugheen Novices' Chase at Christmas. He looks sure to be even better upped to three miles and is a red-hot favourite for this race.
Final Demand to win the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase @ 1/1
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Il Etait Temps – Queen Mother Champion Chase (March 11)
He may be 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival but Il Etait Temps was third in the Arkle in 2024 and has now won five times on the trot, four of them Grade 1s. Many believe his best is still to come.
Il Etait Temps to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Bambino Fever – Mares' Novices' Hurdle (March 12)
Winner of the Champion Bumper here last season, that race has proved incredibly strong on the form book. Bambino Fever was beaten on her hurdles debut, finishing second, but a pre-Festival success will see her proving very popular in a race Mullins has won five times in its 10 runnings.
Bambino Fever to win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Fact To File – Ryanair Chase (March 12)
He was imperious in this race 12 months ago but things have not gone to plan since for Fact To File. He was edged out by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan on in November and it would be no shock if he peaks for this race again.
Fact To File to win the Ryanair Chase @ 7/4 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Narciso Has – Triumph Hurdle (March 13)
This exciting JP McManus-owned French import was very impressive when winning a Grade 2 around Leopardstown at Christmas and is a leading player as Mullins bids to win the Triumph Hurdle for the fifth year in a row.
Narciso Has to win the Triumph Hurdle @ 3/1 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Dinoblue – Mares' Chase (March 13)
Mullins has won the Mares' Chase in three of the five years it has been run and it was Dinoblue that landed the prize in 2025, having finished second in the Grand Annual in 2023 and this race in 2024. She is incredibly consistent and was an easy winner at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.
Dinoblue to win the Mares' Chase @ 5/2
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Sortudo – Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (March 13)
The last of the Grade 1 novices' over hurdles and a real test of stamina, Mullins has won this three-miler four times since 2017. Sortudo travelled best in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Naas recently over 2m4f but he could not wear down front-running winner I'll Sort That in a contest where hurdles were omitted due to low sun. A step up in trip may loom.
Sortudo to win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle @ 12/1 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Galopin Des Champs – Gold Cup (March 13)
He was denied a hat-trick in this race by an inspired run from Inothewayurthinkin last year but Galopin Des Champs is gearing up to take his crown back. His comeback over Christmas was pleasing and if he comes forward from that to win at the Dublin Racing Festival his supporters will believe he can join Kauto Star as the only horse ever to regain this crown.
Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup @ 5/1 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
