Apolon De Charnie Delivers 50-1 Shock in JCB Triumph Hurdle as Mullins Matches Henderson Record

The JCB Triumph Hurdle opened Gold Cup Day with a remarkable result as Apolon De Charnie, sent off at 50-1, produced a determined performance to hand trainer Willie Mullins a historic seventh victory in the race, drawing him level with Nicky Henderson as the most successful trainer in the contest’s history.

Ridden by the trainer’s son Patrick Mullins, the Edward Ware-owned gelding arrived late on the scene before asserting close to the finish, pulling a length and a half clear of Maestro Conti in a stirring renewal of the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Minella Study stayed on strongly to claim third place after briefly threatening approaching the last hurdle.

For Mullins, the victory represented another landmark moment at the Cheltenham Festival, where the Closutton handler has built one of the most formidable records in National Hunt racing.

Speaking afterwards, Mullins admitted the moment carried extra emotion as he watched his son deliver the decisive ride.

“I was able to shout, ‘Go on, my son!’,” he said. “He came in late and had a very light preparation, and we were hoping for the best. I didn’t give Patrick any instructions going out — I just said the start might be a bit of a circus.

“It actually turned out to be a very good start. Patrick rode it his own way and that made it easy enough.”

As the race unfolded, Mullins noted several of his runners travelling well, but Apolon De Charnie ultimately proved the one who found the most when it mattered.

“Every time I looked at him on the screen he was travelling nicely,” he added. “Coming to the second last I thought we had a few chances. Patrick managed to get his head through.

“I loved the attitude when he hit the front. After the last he had to win the race a second time. Once he got there and heard that Cheltenham roar he didn’t stop. A lot of horses lift their heads at that moment, but he kept going.”

JCB Triumph Hurdle triumph delights Mullins family

For Patrick Mullins, the success carried both personal pride and professional satisfaction, guiding the outsider through the field with patience before delivering a decisive late effort in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

“He was fantastic,” he said. “He’s not very big, and I don’t normally watch the juveniles much at home, but he caught my eye. I got a dream run the whole way.

“I’m very proud of my father. I’ve never seen him doubt himself as much as he has this winter, but he sticks to his guns and gets it right most of the time.”

Owner Edward Ware admitted expectations had been modest before the race.

“Patrick told me beforehand he thought the horse might be competitive and maybe finish in the first six,” Ware said. “We would have been delighted with that. To win is extraordinary. I’m chuffed to pieces.”

Runner-up trainer Dan Skelton was equally encouraged by the performance of Maestro Conti.

“It was a great run,” Skelton said. “He was a little keen early on but that’s his style. I could see Patrick travelling very well down to the last. With a big jump we might have got closer, but I’m not convinced we would have won.

“I’m very happy with him and I think he’ll be a fine horse going forward.”

Third-placed Minella Study also earned praise from trainer Adam Nicol, who believes the gelding has a bright future.

“He jumped brilliantly down the back and came right on to the bridle,” Nicol said. “He’s handled the track well, but I think a flatter course might suit him even better. He’s a horse with gears and a lovely pedigree.”

The result ensured another chapter in Mullins’ extraordinary Festival record, pushing his tally to 119 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, while Patrick Mullins moved into double figures with 10 Festival victories.

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