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As Prestbury Park gets ready to host the best National Hunt horses from Britain and Ireland, all eyes turn to Willie Mullins. The Closutton trainer has reshaped the Cheltenham Festival with his relentless drive for success, maintaining a dominance that looks set to continue in 2025.
The remarkable journey of Irish racing’s most successful trainer began modestly at Cheltenham in 1995 when Tourist Attraction claimed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at odds of 25/1, yet has upsurged into an unparalleled Festival legacy.
With over 100 victories to his name, Mullins’ extraordinary achievements have rewritten the parameters of success at jump racing’s most prestigious gathering.
Having secured the leading trainer award at the Festival in 11 of the last 15 Mullins once again approaches Cheltenham with a formidable battalion of equine talent across all divisions.
His understanding of what constitutes Festival-calibre performance has been honed through decades of experience, from his days as an accomplished amateur rider to his current position as the dominant force in National Hunt racing.
The depth and breadth of talent the Irishman has at his disposal remains unmatched in the modern era, with Mullins’ extraordinary ability to prepare horses specifically for their Cheltenham targets giving him a decisive competitive edge.
As we examine his leading contenders for the 2025 Festival, we glimpse not merely individual equine talents, but a comprehensive training philosophy that has redefined excellence in National Hunt racing. Here are the favourites worth backing in the ante-post markets as we head into the final days before Cheltenham.
Kopek Des Bordes – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The traditional Festival curtain-raiser has become virtually synonymous with Mullins’ dominance, his seven victories since 2007 establishing an outstanding pedigree in the race.
Kopek Des Bordes confirmed his place at the pinnacle of this year’s novice division with a commanding 13-length victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, displaying a remarkable progression in his jumping technique from his hurdling debut.
The five-year-old stands clear on form of his nearest rival Romeo Coolio and compares favourably with historic Supreme luminaries including Altior.
His current odds of 8/11 make him a favourite in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds and showcase Mullins’ remarkable aptitude for producing festival-ready novices at the very highest level.
Final Demand – Turner Novices’ Hurdle
Few horses in training have generated the same level of excitement as Final Demand, whose rapid ascent from expensive store purchase to potential superstar has followed an extraordinarily steep trajectory.
His emphatic 15-length hurdling debut victory in December was followed by a seamless transition to Grade 1 company, producing a 12-length demolition of his Dublin Racing Festival opposition. Competition comes in the form of The New Lion and The Yellow Clay on day two.
Ballyburn – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The transition from outstanding hurdler to accomplished chaser represents one of the most significant challenges in National Hunt racing, yet Ballyburn has navigated this path with admirable proficiency.
He dominated the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle last year but was beaten by Sir Gino over an unsuitable two miles at Kempton. His best form has come over three miles, highlighted by a key Dublin Racing Festival win. With a Timeform rating of 157p, he has the credentials for Brown Advisory success.
The absence of The Jukebox Man further strengthens his chances of another Festival victory for Mullins.
Fact To File – Ryanair Chase
Fact To File is a top-class, versatile horse with strong Cheltenham form. He won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase last year and stunned Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Chase.
Though he later lost to his stablemate, his Timeform rating of 170+ confirms his elite status. Initially priced at 8/1 for the Gold Cup, he is now likely to run in the Ryanair Chase. The potential clash with French star Il Est Francais adds extra excitement to the horse racing odds.
Galopin Des Champs – Cheltenham Gold Cup
The crowning jewel in Mullins’ remarkable Festival arsenal, Galopin Des Champs approaches his bid for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup victory with commanding authority.
Though lacking perhaps, the aesthetic brilliance of champions like Kauto Star, his relentless efficiency and physical resilience have established him as the definitive staying chaser of his generation.
His sole defeat this season—when third in the John Durkan Memorial Chase over an inadequate trip—has been comprehensively redeemed through emphatic victories in both the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup.
These performances have confirmed his current Timeform rating of 179, establishing a 7lb superiority over his nearest rival.
Priced at 8/15 for his Gold Cup hat-trick attempt, Galopin Des Champs personifies the remorseless competitive efficiency that has become Mullins’ hallmark, inflicting crushing defeats on all challengers through a combination of metronomic jumping, relentless galloping, and innate championship quality.