Ahead of any Cheltenham Festival, the Closutton operation of Willie Mullins is the first port of call for many punters. The reigning British and Irish Champion Trainer has peppered the Prestbury Park Winners’ Enclosure with a frequency of which other trainers can only dream.
Picking up at least four festival winners at every edition since 2013, including 10 in 2022 and 9 in 2024, his overall tally of 103 places him out on his own atop the all-time Cheltenham Festival leaderboard.
With those 103 victories spread across 21 different races, including multiple wins in all four championship events and a faintly ridiculous 13 in the Champion Bumper, Mullins is a man to fear in just about every event over the four days.
As ever, Mullins Cheltenham squadron for 2025 is vast and brimming with talent. Here, we provide a race-by-race snapshot of the likely members of the most talented team at the meeting and pick out our Mullins-only Lucky 15s for the 2025 jamboree.
Best Overall
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Tuesday 11th March
Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 7
- Funiculi Funicula, 20/1 with bet365: French recruit who scored by 17 lengths on yard debut at Clonmel. Down the pecking order according to the betting but falls into the “could be anything” category.
- Kiss Will, 16/1 with BetVictor: Similar profile to Funiculi Funicula, having finished second on his sole start in France and scored by a wide margin on his yard debut in a maiden event at Fairyhouse.
- Kopek Des Bordes, 5/6 with Betfred: This son of No Risk At All has made a deep impression in three starts at the track. Much too good for his Bumper and Maiden rivals, he responded to his first Grade 1 challenge by hacking up in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. This one looks a little out of the ordinary.
- Salvator Mundi, 11/2 with Betfred: Having finished second to Sir Gino in France, this one disappointed in the Triumph Hurdle. However, he is two from two since and impressed when claiming the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle last time.
My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 6
- Majborough, 4/7 with bet365: In the absence of Sir Gino, this JP McManus runner has become one of the Irish bankers of the meeting in the Arkle. Despite always looking like a chaser in the making, he was good enough to land the 2024 Triumph Hurdle and is unbeaten in two starts over fences, including a 9l romp in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle last time.
Ultima Handicap Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- Iris Emery, 25/1 with BetVictor: Not a race Mullins tends to target to the same degree as others at the meeting, but this Rich Ricci runner has bits and pieces of form which would give him a squeak – most notably a staying on second to the useful Croke Park at Fairyhouse in November.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 10
- Jade De Grugy, 5/2 with bet365: Five from six in her career to date, with the only defeat coming in the 2024 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She is two from two since and returned with an easy success at Punchestown in February. If Brighterdaysahead goes for the Champion Hurdle, we would expect to see this one start as a pretty short favourite on the day.
- Kargese, 7/1 with BetVictor: Going in the same colours as Jade De Grugy, Kargese finished best of the rest behind Majborough in the 2024 Triumph Hurdle. She ended 2023/24 with a Grade 1 win at Punchestown but disappointed when beaten at odds of 2/5 on her seasonal return.
Unibet Champion Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 5
- Lossiemouth, 4/1 with bet365: Excellent winner of the 2023 Triumph Hurdle and 2024 Mares’ Hurdle, who returned with a spectacular win in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. Looked outpaced behind Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle and fell last time at Leopardstown, but this has been the target for some time.
- State Man, 6/1 with LiveScoreBet: Defending champion who took advantage of the absence of Constitution Hill in 2024. Likely to be the choice of Paul Townend but nine lengths behind the Henderson star in the 2023 edition of this.
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- Willy De Houelle, 7/1 with QuinnBet: Mullins has yet to land this prize but has a solid chance of putting that right in 2025. Yet to score for Mullins, but caught the eye when staying on for fourth in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. He should be suited by a strong pace at this stiff track.
National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices Handicap Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 4
- Captain Cody, 9/1 with bet365: Likely to be rerouted to Cheltenham in honour of former rider Michael O’Sullivan, who so heartbreakingly passed away in February. Needs to prove he stays this far, but could be on a nice mark if he does.
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Wednesday 12th March
Turners Novices’ Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 7
- Final Demand, 6/4 with BetVictor: This strapping sort looks like a natural chaser but is busy making a name for himself over hurdles in his debut season in Ireland. A sensational 12l winner of the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle last time, he’s the pick of the Mullins entries.
- Kaid D’Authue, 25/1 with Betfred: Landed his maiden at Leopardstown but readily brushed aside by Kopek Des Bordes at that track last time. The 2m trip may have been to blame that day, but he has a question to answer in top company.
- Kappa Jy Pyke, 25/1 with LiveScoreBet: The form of his second on hurdles debut at Cork hasn’t worked out particularly well, but he appeared to take a big step forward when scoring by 17 lengths at Punchestown in January. This improving sort is one of the more interesting outsiders.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 6
- Ballyburn, 7/4 with bet365: Resounding winner of the 2024 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, who is two from three over fences – the only defeat coming at the hands of Sir Gino over an inadequate 2m. Much too good in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase last time and seems sure to be involved in the finish.
- Dancing City, 3/1 with bet365: Solid third in the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and unbeaten in four starts since, including a Grade 1 verdict over the Jukebox Man in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. He has made a solid start to life over fences, including a smart defeat of the talented Bioluminescence last time. His chance increases with every drop of rain that falls.
- Lecky Watson, 14/1 with bet365: Short of Grade 1 standard over hurdles but promises to make a better chaser. Two from two over fences, and comfortably claimed a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time.
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 1
- Kopeck De Mee, 5/1 with bet365: The Willie Mullins/JP McManus combo is always feared, and this French recruit is favourite for three handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, including this 2m5f affair, despite never having raced in Britain or Ireland.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- No entry in 2025.
Betmgm Queen Mother Champion Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 2
- Energumene, 7/1 with BetVictor: The 2022 and 2023 champ returns for another crack at the prize at eleven years of age. He was no match for Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase last time out but may finish closer if conditions are soft on the day.
- Gaelic Warrior, 6/1 with Betfred: This Rich Ricci runner looked like Jonbon’s biggest rival following an excellent victory in the 2024 Arkle. However, he has performed way below expectations in two outings this season and may head for the Ryanair instead or skip the meeting entirely.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- Hunters Yarn, 14/1 with QuinnBet: Mullins has gone close in this contest but has yet to saddle the winner. The most likely horse to put that right in 2025 is this Simon Munir & Isaac Souede-owned eight-year-old. That said, Hunters Yarn has posted mediocre displays in two previous Cheltenham Festival outings and was pulled up last time out at Fairyhouse.
Weatherby’s Champion Bumper – Previous Mullins Wins: 13
- Gameofinches, 7/2 with Betfred: Successful in five of the last seven editions and 13 times overall, Mullins boasts a spectacular record in this event and has eight entries this year. Choosing between the eight isn’t easy, but the market currently rates this son of Blue Bresil as the most likely winner. Recruited from the Point-to-Point sphere, he scored easily on his yard debut at Punchestown.
- Bambino Fever, 7/1 with Spreadex: Mares have a decent record in this, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see this daughter of Jukebox Jury add her name to the list. Three from three in her career to date, she stormed home to claim a Grade 2 Mares Bumper at Punchestown by 7½l in February.
- Copacabana, 9/2 with bet365: Also by super stallion Blue Bresil, this five-year-old gelding thrust his name into the mix for this when scoring nicely on debut at Navan.
Thursday 13th March
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 5
- Maughreen, 3/1 with LiveScoreBet: Related to and similarly named to Faugheen, Maughreen has a way to go to match the exploits of the great Rich Ricci runner. However, she has certainly made a promising start. 11l too good for her bumper rivals last season, she scored in good style on her hurdles debut in January. This is a big step up, but she looks like the best novice mare in the yard, which probably means she is one of the best novice mare in training.
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 4
- Asian Master, 12/1 with Boylesports: Mullins had a decent record in this race when it took place as a weight-for-age affair. However, the switch to Limited Handicap status makes the race far more open. Of Mullins' entries in 2025, this eight-year-old looks the most interesting. An excellent fourth in the 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he may improve on that if he handles this step up in trip.
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- No Entries in 2025
Ryanair Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 5
- Fact To File, 6/4 with BetVictor: This JP McManus star briefly assumed favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following his win in the John Durkan Memorial Handicap Chase. However, two subsequent defeats by Galopin Des Champs suggest he may be no match for the reigning champ over 3m+. Having shown a liking of Cheltenham when claiming the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, he looks like the one to beat if lining up in this slightly easier contest.
- El Fabiolo, 8/1 with Boylesports: 2023 Arkle winner who bombed out in the 2024 Queen Mother Champion Chase. Subsequent defeats at Sandown and Leopardstown suggest he struggles with his jumping over 2m. However, he’s a high-class horse and could be a big threat if seeing out the additional distance of this.
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 2
- Mystical Power, 25/1 with bet365: Having finished second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and picked up Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown in 2024, Mystical Power appears to have lost the plot in two outings this season – two starts yielding two defeats, by a combined 111 lengths. Perhaps this step up in trip will spark him back to life, but it will need to.
TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- Gentleman De Mee, 12/1 with LivesScoreBet: As a dual Grade 1 winner who reached a mark of 167 in his pomp, Gentleman De Mee is potentially well handicapped off 156 here. On the downside, he needs to prove he stays this far and has shown little in three outings this season.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Previous Mullins Wins: 0
- Sa Majeste, 7/1 with Boylesports: Big disappointment at the 2024 meeting when running no race in the Coral Cup. Hit and miss over fences but posted his best effort last time when winning at Fairyhouse.
Best OverallBet £10 Get £50Welcome OfferMin Deposit:£10Our Score9.9
Friday 14th March
JCB Triumph Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 5
- Charlus, 33/1 with bet365: By Churchill and out of a Rock Of Gibraltar mare, Charlus unsurprisingly began life on the flat – winning three of four starts in France. He’s now one from one over hurdles, having jumped well en route to victory at Naas in January.
- Lady Vega Allen, 12/1 with BetVictor: Brings rock-solid Irish form to the table, having finished an unlucky second in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and third in a Grade 1 back at that track in February. She needs to improve to turn the tables with Hello Neighbour, but we likely haven’t seen the best of her yet.
- Saint Lucie, 20/1 with LiveScoreBet: Looked like a potential star when scorching 11 lengths clear on yard debut at Punchestown, only to finish a 43l last of 8 behind Hello Neighbour and Lady Vega Allen at Leopardstown. That effort was surely too bad to be true, but she has questions to answer for now.
William Hill County Handicap Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 7
- Absurde, 10/1 with bet365: 2024 champ will have an 8lb higher mark this year but was value for more than the 1l winning margin 12 months ago.
- Kopeck De Mee, 8/1 with bet365: he may be an unknown quantity on these shores, but this five-year-old is also prominent in the market for this event.
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 2
- Allegorie De Vassy, 11/8 with bet365: Set to make her third appearance in this contest, having finished second in 2023 and fourth in 2024. She needs to improve a little on those efforts but has looked good in two outings this season.
- Dinoblue, 11/2 with bet365: Eight-year-old who went down by just ¾l in the 2024 edition of this and makes her fourth festival appearance. She was below par in her first two outings this season but stepped up to give 6lb and a narrow beating to Allegorie De Vassy last time out.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 3
- Argento Boy, 40/1 with bet365: Never involved in the 2024 Champion Bumper but has performed well over hurdles this season. To finish a 1l second to The Big Westerner when conceding 7lbs was a solid effort, and he enjoyed the step up to 2m7½f when winning a Punchestown maiden by 15l.
- Fishery Lane, 25/1 with bet365: Stayed on to finish 5th in the 2024 Champion Bumper and has improved as he has stepped up in trip. His jumping cost him first time out at Fairyhouse, but he improved in that regard when scoring over 2m4f at that track in January.
- Jasmin De Vaux, 16/1 with bet365: The 2024 Champion Bumper winner started well over hurdles at Navan but has struggled with his jumping in two outings since. He may enjoy having more time at his obstacles over this trip and it's too soon to write him off.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 4
- Galopin Des Champs, 8/15 with bet365: But for a final fence fall in the 2022 Turners’ Novices’ Chase, this superstar would be four-from-four at the Cheltenham Festival. He was mighty impressive in claiming the past two editions of this and completed his preparations with an easy win in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
- Fact To File, 10/1 with bet365: 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner, who may line up but holds an alternative entry in the Ryanair Chase.
- Grangeclare West, 20/1 with bet365: Yet to appear at Cheltenham but landed a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in 2023 and finished best of the rest behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup. Interesting outsider who may enjoy the Cheltenham Hill.
St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase – Previous Mullins Wins: 1
- No entry in 2025.
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – Previous Mullins Wins: 4
- Kopeck De Mee, 5/1 with bet365: A third appearance for this son of Masterstroke, who currently heads the betting in the finale.
- Bunting, 20/1 with bet365: Of the other Mullins entries, this Tony Bloom runner is potentially interesting on the pick of his form, most notably a close fourth in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle last season.
All Mullins Lucky 15s
An all-Mullins Lucky 15 is undoubtedly one of the most popular pre-Cheltenham Festival wagers. As ever, we can’t resist this potentially profitable angle and will place two exclusively Closutton Lucky 15s – one containing four bankers and another consisting of the more interesting runners at bigger prices.
The Bankers
- Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle: Kopek Des Bordes @ 4/5 with bet365
- My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy: Majborough @ 4/7 with bet365
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase: Ballyburn @ 7/4 with bet365
- Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs @ 8/15 with bet365
A £1 Lucky 15 on the above selections at the listed prices returns £67.40 with bet365 if all four horses win.
The Each Way Options
- Unibet Champion Hurdle: Lossiemouth @ 4/1 with bet365
- Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Willy De Houelle @ 8/1 with bet365
- Weatherbys Champion Bumper: Bambino Fever @ 7/1 with bet365
- JCB Triumph Hurdle: Lady Vega Allen @ 12/1 with bet365
A 50p each way Lucky 15 on the above selections at the listed prices returns £3854.40 with bet365 if all four horses win, and £74.90 if all four finish only placed.
Best OverallBet £10 Get £50Welcome OfferMin Deposit:£10Our Score9.9
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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