Willie Mullins Cheltenham runners over the years have been a go-to source of winners for punters – but ahead of this weekend’s Showcase Meeting at Prestbury Park the Closutton handler has only ONE horse in action.
CHART TOPPER – The ONLY Willie Mullins Cheltenham Runner This Weekend
Okay, hands-up – despite Willie Mullins being Mr. Cheltenham when it comes to the Festival in March – the Showcase Meeting isn’t one he tends to target much.
Mullins has saddled a record 113 winners at the Cheltenham Festival – more than any other – but the two-day October Meeting at Prestbury Park doesn’t really come on his radar.
Last year in 2024 – Mullins only had one horse at the meeting – Fine Margin, who finished down the field in a Novices’ Hurdle.
Which was a race won by a past Cheltenham winner that could be back in 2025 – Intense Approach.
However, regardless of the lack of Closutton firepower at the Showcase – we’d still all be foolish to at least not take a glance at the sole Willie Mullins Cheltenham runner this weekend.
Step forward – CHART TOPPER.
2:55pm – 3m (2m7f208y) (Old) Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
Chart Topper is the only horse at the moment with the initials W P Mullins next to his name when looking at the Cheltenham runners for the 2025 Showcase Meeting.
This 6 year-old was last seen running a fine third (of 19) in a competitive Handicap Hurdle at the Galway Festival in the summer.
He’s been hiked up 7lbs for that run, but is also no stranger to travelling across the Irish Sea – having won at Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby back in January 2025 with Patrick Mullins doing the steering.
If turning up in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, Chart Topper is sure to attract support with the best horse racing betting sites – especially as this is a race the Irish like winning.
In the last three seasons, trainers Charles Byrnes and Gordon Elliott have also won this prize.
When Is The Cheltenham Showcase Meeting?
📅Date: Fri/Sat (24th-25th Oct 2025)
⌚Time: First Race (1:15pm Fri and 1:10 Sat)
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
📺 TV: Racing TV / ITV Racing
The Wallpark Won The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Last Year
Whichever horse wins Saturday’s 2:55pm at Cheltenham – they should certainly be noted as the jump season moves on.
Why?
Last year the Gordon Elliott-trained The Wallpark landed the spoils, and he went onto progress up the staying hurdling ranks.
Running fourth in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle and came back to Cheltenham to run an excellent third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival behind Bob Olinbger (watch below).
The Gordon Elliott Cheltenham trainer stats, however, tell us that you might want to avoid any of this runner over fences – he’s only 4-122 at the moment.
The race was also won in 2023 by Hyland, who is another horse to look out for this weekend.
This Nicky Henderson-trained horse also won a Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting in 2024 – he’s entered in Saturday’s 2:20pm on the card.
Can he win for a third time at this fixture?
