Willie Mullins joined Nicky Henderson as the most successful trainer of all-time in the JCB Triumph Hurdle when Apolon De Charnie (50-1) triumphed in the 2026 renewal, the opening race on Gold Cup Day. It was a seventh victory in the contest for the master of Closutton.

Partnered by the trainer’s son Patrick, the Edward Ware-owned gelding scored by a length and a half from Maestro Conti.

Willie Mullins said: “I was able to shout, ‘Go on, my son!’ He came in late and had a very light prep, and we were hoping for the best. I didn’t give Patrick any instructions going out, I just said that we thought the start would be a circus. It was actually a very good start, thankfully. He had his own way of riding it, he just rode to his own instructions, so that was easy enough.

“Every time I looked at him on the TV, I could see him going well. He was going well all the time, while my other ones were meeting with trouble… Proactif was coming with a run, Mon Creuset was coming with a run, I thought, ‘We have chances here’, coming to the second last. But Patrick managed to get his head through.

On the attitude the horse showed when he hit the front, he said: “I loved that. I said he was going to win before the last, then after the last he had to get down and win the race for a second time – you’d have to say he had to win for a second time. Once he got to that front and heard that Cheltenham roar, he still didn’t stop. A lot of horses put their heads up when they hear that Cheltenham roar, but he didn’t, he did it very well, I was happy.”

Winning jockey Patrick Mullins said: “He was fantastic. He’s not very big, I don’t normally watch the juveniles at home, but he just caught my eye.I got a dream run everywhere.

“I’m very proud of my father. I’ve never seen him doubt himself as much as he has this winter. He keeps getting a lot of advice from people saying he’s doing this wrong or that wrong, but he sticks to his guns and he gets it right most of the time.”

Successful owner Edward Ware said: “Patrick said to me beforehand that he’d definitely be competitive and maybe in the first six, which we’d have been delighted with, obviously. To do that, though, is outstanding. I’m chuffed to pieces.

“My point of view was, Willie wouldn’t run the horse unless he thought he had some ability, therefore that’s great, isn’t it? Anything he does today is fantastic - I’m not going to say a bonus, because this is a huge race, obviously, but it’s just fantastic to be here and to have a winner is crazy.”

Dan Skelton, trainer of runner-up Maestro Conti, said: “It was a great run. I’ve been proud of them all week. They’ve been running their socks off, and that was a brilliant run. He was a little bit gassy through the first half but that’s how he does it. I could see Patrick travelling very well down to the last but my instinct was that with a big jump at the last maybe we’d have won, but the way Patrick was going I’m not convinced.

“I’m very very happy with him and I’d say he’ll make a fine horse going forward. I’ll probably run him at Aintree.”

Adam Nicol, trainer of third-placed Minella Study, said: “Down the back when it opened up, he winged a couple and came right on to the bridle. I know he’s won on this course and he clearly handled it, but I think he’d be even better on a flat track, because he’s got gears. He’s got a great pedigree - I’m sure his dam is a half-sister to the dam of Alpinista - and next season I think he’s going to take us to some nice days.

“I’d love to take him to Aintree, but because they’re juveniles you don’t know how they’re going to come out of this. We’ll let the dust settle for the next 10 days and we’ll see. There are options - Aintree would suit him.

“I’m surprised you didn’t hear me shouting when he jumped the last! Ryan said he didn’t feel like he stopped, but maybe the winner’s seen it out better than him. Willie had nine in the race and we just came here with one bullet and he’s done well.

“This is the Olympics of National Hunt racing. Willie Mullins has had more runners today than I’m training, so I knew what was up against us and I thought if he was in the first three I’d be elated. But when he jumped the last in front… You’re taking on the best and we’ll just enjoy it.”

Ryan Mania, rider of Minella Study, said: “We didn’t get the best of starts - he was shuffled back a bit - but he was travelling and happy, and once it opened up down the back, he jumped himself into a really nice position. Coming down the hill he felt insane - he came underneath me and I thought, ‘Oh God, here we go!’ And then I was in danger of being there too soon, so I tried to hold on to him as long as I could.

“He’s galloped all the way up to the top of the hill, he’s just been very unfortunate to get beaten. I’m gutted, but at the same time he’s a proper horse. He’s got a huge future. He’s still got to fill out.”

Willie Mullins – 119 Cheltenham Festival wins
Mr Patrick Mullins – 10 Cheltenham Festival wins