'You dream about these sort of things': Willie Mullins savours Cheltenham glory

As Cheltenham 2024 comes to a close, Darren Norris reflects on this year's event, and a stunning achievement by Carlow-based trainer Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend face the press photographers after Galopin Des Champs won the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1).

In a week in which he became a Cheltenham centurion, it was only fitting that Willie Mullins marked the 100th anniversary of the first Gold Cup with a fourth win in six years and hot favourite Galopin Des Champs ensured he did just that with a classy performance in the Festival feature.

“You dream about these sort of things but you don’t dream of what has happened to Closutton [his training base] over the last 25 to 30 years,” Mullins said as he reflected on his latest golden moment.