The opening race on the curtain-closing card of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival went the way of Apolon De Charnie for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Like last year’s winner Poniros, the horse was making his debut for the yard.
20 juveniles lined up to attain Prestbury Park glory, with Narciso Has the notable omission. Some high-class thoroughbreds have begun their path in this race, and the winner produced a performance that could see them reach the very top in the coming years.
Second went the way of Maestro Conti with Minella Study settling for third. British trainers followed the Mullins-trained winner home.
Apolon De Charnie marks himself as a star for the future
Despite the omission of Narciso Has, JP McManus and Willie Mullins had an able deputy in Proactif. The Masked Marvel gelding was two-from-two coming into the race, after beating Macho Man at Fairyhouse en-route. Rich Ricci has won this with Lossiemouth and Vauban of late, and Selma De Vary looked to emulate those stars.
For many, the unbeaten Minella Study was the leading British hope. It was very much David vs Goliath for Adam Nicol, with the Seahouses-based trainer taking on the cream of the racing crop. Maestro Conti was also three from three after his taking performance over course and distance on Trials day.
Highland Crystal saw her form franked by Fred Winter winner Saratoga on Tuesday as she looked to give Gordon Elliott his first Triumph win since 2018.
Mullins won this with hurdling newcomer Poniros last season, so his remaining sextet of runners could not be discounted. Apolon De Charnie was behind Proactif in France, while Minella Academy was another making his yard debut.
It will surely prove that Mullins’ runners in next year’s race will be taken seriously throughout the field. Apolon De Charnie was behind Proactif in France on his only career start. The British and Irish climes must have been more to his liking, as he skipped over the good ground.
The British duo of Maestro Conti and Minella Study followed, running game races for Dan Skelton and Adam Nicol.