Willie Mullins Cheltenham winner predictions for 2026

The Cheltenham Festival is rapidly galloping into view, and all roads once again appear to lead to one man – Willie Mullins.

The master of Closutton is expected to continue his remarkable domination at Prestbury Park, with the Irish trainer already boasting 113 Festival winners since his first at Cheltenham in 1995 – making him the most successful trainer in the Festival’s history.

Unsurprisingly, Mullins is the odds-on favourite at 1/7 to land yet another Leading Trainer title next month. His nearest challenger, Gordon Elliott, is a distant 8/1 to dethrone the undisputed king of the Festival.

It’s easy to see why. Mullins has been crowned leading trainer in each of the last seven renewals and 12 times overall. At the 2025 Festival, he sent out 10 winners to match his own record for the most victories by a trainer at a single meeting.

The County Kilkenny-born handler has averaged more than nine winners in each Festival since 2020 and once again arrives armed with a formidable battalion of talent.

“We go there hoping for one,” the typically understated Mullins said ahead of the greatest show on turf.

Of course, one would barely scratch the surface. In fact it would be a disaster and hasn’t happened to him since 2007. Mullins has made 87 entries – covering 52 individual horses – across the Festival’s six Grade 1 novice hurdles and chases, plus Tuesday’s Triumph Hurdle.

And it’s not just strength in numbers.

Mullins’ squad is stacked with quality and headliners, including Lossiemouth, Majborough in Wednesday’s Champion Chase, Fact To File – poised to defend his Ryanair crown – and exciting Kopek Des Bordes, who looks set to spearhead the yard’s challenge in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.

Willie Mullins Predicted winners for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Champion Day (Tuesday, March 10)

• Arkle Chase (14:00) – KOPEK DES BORDES at 5/2 with bet365

Ladies Day (Wednesday, March 11)

• Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (14:00) – KAID D’AUTHIE at 6/1 with Betfair
• Champion Chase (16:00) – MAJBOROUGH at 7/4 with bet365

St. Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday, March 12)

• Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (13:20) – BAMBINO FEVER at 7/4 with bet365
• Mares Hurdle (14:40) – LOSSIEMOUTH at 9/10 with Betway
• Ryanair Chase (16:00) – FACT TO FILE at 5/4 with Betfair

Gold Cup Day (Friday, March 13)

• Triumph Hurdle (13:20) – PROACTIF at 7/2 with bet365
• Mares Chase (14:20) – SPINDLEBERRY at 10/3 with Betfred
• Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (15:20) – DOCTOR STEINBERG at 3/1 with Paddy Power

It’s not a question of will Mullins dominate – it’s by how much, and can he exceed even our highest (and perhaps unfair) expectations? I’m predicting nine winners, which should still be enough to easily claim his annual Leading Trainer title for a record-extending 13th time.

Nine would represent another dominant week at Prestbury Park, but with the strength and depth he’s bringing across the four days, it wouldn’t be a shock if that number crept into double figures.

Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival winners

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About the author

Nick Seddon

A sports journalist with more than a decade of experience, Nick has covered some of the biggest events in sport, from the Grand National and the Epsom Derby in horse racing to Walsall against Wigan Athletic in League One.

Follow Nick on X: @nickseddon_

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