By his own lofty standards, 2026 has not been a vintage year for Willie Mullins. With Dan Skelton roaring ahead, the chance of the Closutton maestro retaining his British Champion Trainer title is becoming increasingly remote. Even on home soil, he finds his place at the summit under threat, with Gordon Elliott comfortably clear in the Irish Trainers’ Championship.
However, we are now entering Mullins’ favourite time of year. When it comes to the Cheltenham Festival, nobody does it better than the 69-year-old. With 113 previous wins, Mullins is way out in front as the most successful trainer in the history of the magical meeting and sends a strong squad into battle again in 2026. Using the current odds as a guide, the following quintet are the most likely to take Mullins to his second home of the Cheltenham Festival winners’ enclosure.
Majborough – Queen Mother Champion Chase
Previous Mullins Winners – Energumene (2022, 2023)
Of the five races on our list, the Day 2 feature is the only contest in which Mullins is not the most successful trainer in the history of the event – a mere two wins places him four behind co-leaders Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, and Tom Dreaper. He has a solid chance of reducing that deficit in 2026.
At a best price of 8/11, Majborough is the hottest favourite of the 2026 Festival. That short price comes following the withdrawal of the 2025 champ Marine Nationale, who misses his title defence due to a neck injury. Already favourite at around 13/8 before that announcement, Majborough is now odds-on across the board. On raw ability, the JP McManus runner looks worthy of so short a price, with his recent 19-length thrashing of Marine Nationale in the Dublin Chase a fine example of just how good he is on his day.
He is also a previous winner at this meeting, having claimed the 2024 Triumph Hurdle. If there is a negative, it is his occasionally errant jumping, which cost him victory in the 2025 Arkle Chase. A switch to front-running looked to have ironed out those quirks at Leopardstown and, if getting into a similar rhythm here, he may be very hard to beat.
Fact To File – Ryanair Chase
Previous Mullins Winners – Vautour (2016), Un De Sceaux (2017), Min (2020), Allaho (2021, 2022), Fact To File (2025)
It is easy to understand why the odds compilers are taking few chances with this JP McManus-owned nine-year-old. In three previous visits to the Cheltenham Festival, Fact To File has finished second in the Champion Bumper, won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and claimed this event by a resounding nine lengths in 2025.
In addition to his proven form at the track, Fact To File also arrives right at the top of his game. Following a disappointing display in the King George VI Chase, he bounced back to his best with a comprehensive five-length triumph in the Irish Gold Cup last time. He is a worthy favourite in the defence of his crown, but may yet be supplemented for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Lossiemouth – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Previous Mullins Winners – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018), Lossiemouth (2024, 2025)
Lossiemouth has some way to go to match the record of six-time winner Quevega, but is the warm favourite to land the hat-trick in 2026. Three lengths clear of her rivals in 2024 and more than seven lengths too good in 2025, she is narrowly favoured to master the Gordon Elliott mare Wodhooh with most betting firms. Unbeaten in mares-only events, Lossiemouth is three from three at the Cheltenham Festival, but also holds an entry in what looks like an open edition of the Champion Hurdle.
Bambino Fever – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Previous Mullins Winners – Limini (2016), Let’s Dance (2017), Laurina (2018), Eglantine du Seuil (2019), Concertista (2020)
For a while, it looked like no other trainer would get a look-in in this contest. Added to the Cheltenham menu in 2016, Mullins promptly won the first five editions. However, he is zero-from-five since.
The horse tasked with returning Mullins to the top of the podium is the 2025 Champion Bumper heroine, Bambino Fever. Having ended 2025 with a perfect four-from-four record in Bumpers, including two Grade 1s, this Jukebox Jury mare was a hugely exciting addition to the hurdling ranks. As such, it was disappointing to see her beaten at odds of 1/4 on her hurdles bow at Naas. Having put that right with a 12-length stroll at Fairyhouse, she heads the market as she returns to the scene of her finest hour.
Dinoblue – Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase
Previous Mullins Winners – Colreevy (2021), Elimay (2022), Dinoblue (2025)
Last but not least, Dinoblue adds to a strong team of Mullins-trained mares at the meeting. Initially, it appeared that this Doctor Dino mare belonged in the category of runners who fail to show their best at this meeting, with her first three Cheltenham Festival appearances producing three defeats. However, she proved that theory to be all wrong when streaking over eight lengths clear in the 2025 edition of this. Arriving seeking a hat-trick, following wins at Fairyhouse and Navan, she is a best price of 6/4 as she bids to become the first dual winner of this event.
With the above five runners, and a host of other contenders throughout the week, Mullins is a red-hot favourite to emerge as the top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival once again.
