There was no doubt that all eyes were on Willie Mullins coming into this year’s Cheltenham Festival and whether his principal jockey Paul Townend could provide more consistency than last year.

Mullins; a favoured trainer of prestigious owner JP McManus, had a number of entries and big chances, though arguably two of his likeliest were withdrawn due to ground conditions. Red hot, odds-on favourite, Fact To File was pulled from the Ryanair Chase, while Galopin Des Champs (who was fancied to make a comeback and looked in good form), was pulled from the Gold Cup, denying him the opportunity to make up for last year’s disappointment.

However, Townend delivered in the end on Gaelic Warrior; the short pre-race favourite for the race, finishing strongly after well-fancied The Jukebox Man led for most of it, despite fading to eighth in the end.

GAELIC WARRIOR WINS THE 2026 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP! 🏆#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/kkD2hjPgIY

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 13, 2026

In winning, Mullins also completed the ‘double’ of the big four races, following Lossiemouth’s stunning victory in the Champion Hurdle on the first day; a people’s victory if ever there was one.

Prior to winning the ‘big one’ on the last day, Mullins’ son, Patrick, delivered a shock 50/1 win on Apolon De Charnie, in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, earlier that day.

Mullins Set The Pace On Day One And Continued

The second race of the week, was won by a Mullins horse, with well-fancied (by the eagle-eyed), Kargese proving a worthy winner, at 7/1 with nephew Danny on board, while his other entry, Kopek Des Bordes came in second, keeping the Nicky Henderson pre-race favourite, Lulamba at bay, in third.

It was a bright, yet possibly unexpected start for Henderson though, who in previous years has not been used to seeing his favourites perform, so Old Park Star’s performance set up his week nicely.

In the end, there were three winners on day one for Mullins, while the Skelton team took a win on Madara. King Rasko Grey and Townend got day two off to a good start for Mullins, delivering at 11/1, while Kitzbuhel (11/1) with Harry Cobden riding edged out Townend in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with a victory over 7/2 shot Final Demand.

Townend returned to the winners’ enclosure again after an impressive win aboard 5/2 shot, Il Etait Temps, while previously, James Bowen got his second win of the week, riding pre-race 9/2 favourite Jingko Blue to victory.

There was an emotional win for Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams in the Grand Handicap Chase with 66/1 chance Martator causing an upset, with last year’s winner, Jazzy Matty finishing second.

Best Of The Rest And Heartbreak At The Last

Trainer, Ben Pauling must have gone into the week feeling confident that at least one of his horses could deliver and, while many would have eyes on the Gold Cup (with The Jukebox Man), it was actually Meetmebythesea at 9/1, who was impressively ridden to a win by Ben Jones.

Jonbon went yet another year without a win and after Fact To File was withdrawn, he was well fancied, but instead came second for the fourth consecutive time with Heart Wood being steered to victory by Darragh O’Keeffe.

Dinoblue was a well-fancied favourite who did not disappoint for Mullins on day four, with Mark Walsh riding the 11/8 horse to a win in the Mares’ Chase, though the story of the day was all about the Gold Cup.

Mullins entered the record books, going joint-level with fellow legendary trainer Tom Dreaper with five wins in the race, while he was crowned Champion Jockey for the eighth consecutive year, finishing the week with eight winners, while Paul Townend claimed the leading jockey title once again, underlined by his “Triple Crown” of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Gold Cup.

This was though, marred by tragedy with well-loved champion, Envoi Allen, collapsing on his way back to the stables after his ninth place finish, in what had already been confirmed by his owners would be his final race.

A bittersweet end to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival; one that will be remembered for superb performances, shocks and tragedy with a legend of the famous racecourse passing on.