With the 2025 Cheltenham Festival just a day away, all eyes are, as usual, firmly on Willie Mullins, the esteemed Irish trainer renowned for his exceptional record at the showpiece event. Mullins is poised to dominate once again, bringing a serious lineup of contenders over with him.
Galopin Des Champs: Pursuing a Historic Treble
Leading the Mullins charge is the brilliant Galopin Des Champs, who is aiming to win a third consecutive victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Such an achievement would place him alongside legends like Best Mate, who achieved this feat in 2004. Galopin Des Champ’s recent performances, especially in the Irish Gold Cup, has solidified his status as the favourite for this year’s Gold Cup.
Majborough: A Rising Star in the Arkle Chase
Another standout from the Mullins’ yard is Majborough, a five-year-old gelding with an impressive track record. After clinching the Triumph Hurdle last year and securing a Grade One victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, Majborough is set to compete in the Arkle Chase. A race made easier after Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino was forced to withdraw.
Lossiemouth and State Man: Contenders in the Champion Hurdle
Mullins boasts a couple of major contenders in the Champion Hurdle in the form of Lossiemouth and State Man. Lossiemouth, a five-year-old mare, has shown remarkable improvement, recently triumphing in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Her performance has positioned her as a leading candidate for the hurdling blue riband. State Man, the defending Champion Hurdle winner, continues to impress with consistent performances.
Kopeck De Mee: A Triple Threat in Handicaps
Kopeck De Mee, a recent purchase trained by Mullins and owned by JP McManus, has already garnered significant attention. Despite having yet to race under Mullins, this French recruit has become the clear favourite for several races at the Cheltenham Festival: the Coral Cup, County Hurdle, and Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. His previous successes in France have led to a lot of interest from bettors ahead of the Festival.
There Remains Confidence in a Mullins Domination
The anticipation surrounding Mullins’ entries is evident in the betting markets. Galopin Des Champs leads the Gold Cup odds, while Majborough and Lossiemouth are favoured in their respective races. The surge in wagers on Kopeck De Mee further underlines the confidence many have in Mullins and his expected domination of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Cheltenham betting markets show a strong inclination towards Mullins’ runners, reflecting the continued belief in him as the number one trainer.
A Legacy of Excellence
Willie Mullin’s track record at Cheltenham is unrivalled, with him having been the leading trainer at the Festival 11 times in total, which includes at the last 6. As the 2025 festival approaches, the racing world will be eager to see Mullins’ runners come to the fore in the big races once again, especially Galopin Des Champs, who could make history.
