Asever,muchofthebuilduptotheCheltenham Festivalhas surrounded thedominant positionof Irishtrainers comparedto theirBritish counterparts. Butdespite thehuge holeleftby theabsence ofConstitution Hill,allmightnot asbadasitseemsfor thehometeam,whoappear tohavesomeprettysolid chances.
Here,wetakealookat someofthebestofthem:
GREYDAWNING(BROWN ADVISORYNOVICES’CHASE, WEDNESDAY/TURNERS NOVICES’CHASE,THURSDAY)
Ausefulnovicehurdler lastseason,hewonaGrade TwoatWarwickbutlater fellinGradeOnecompany atAintree,sowenevergot toseehowhecompared tothebest.Asaresult,he beganthisseasonalittle undertheradarbutshaped nicelyfirsttimeoutwhen aclosethirdtoStayAway FayatExeter.Hethenwon easilyatHaydockandshould havebeatenGinny’sDestiny atCheltenhambutforan almightyblundertwoout Hisperformanceineasily beatingAppleAwayand BroadwayBoyatWarwick markedhimoutasareal contendertotakeonFactTo
FileintheBrownAdvisory, orDanSkeltoncouldstill switchtotheTurnersto avoidthathotfavourite.
Ginny’s Destiny willhavetoput in anear-perfect round of fencing to gethim outof
GINNY’SDESTINY(TURNERS NOVICES’CHASE,THURSDAY)
Quiteincredibly,StageStar’s wininthecorresponding racelastseasonwas championtrainerPaul Nicholls’firstatthe meetingforthreeyears andGinny’sDestinycould repeatthedose.Hehas followedaverysimilar routetotheraceand,just likeStageStar,thethemeof hisperformanceshasbeen puttinghisrivalsunder pressurewithaccurate jumping.Whateverbeats himwillhavetoputinanearperfectroundoffencingto gethimoutofrhythm.
CRAMBO(STAYERS’HURDLE,
TUESDAY
Sevenraces arescheduled forDay One of the CheltenhamFestival. The featureraceofthe dayisthe UnibetChampion Hurdle, a2mile Grade1race. Thistakes place at 3.30pm.
13:30 TheSky BetSupreme Novices’Hurdle Race (Grade1)
14:10 The My Pension Expert Arkle ChallengeTrophySteeple Chase (Grade 1)
14:50 TheUltima Handicap SteepleChase(Premier Handicap)
15:30 The UnibetChampion Hurdle Challenge Trophy(Grade1)
16:10 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade1)
16:50 The Boodles Juvenile Handicap HurdleRace(Premier Handicap)
17:30 The Maureen Mullins National Hunt Novices’Chase (Amateur Riders’Novices’Steeple Chase) (Grade2)
WEDNESDAY
On thesecondday,the highlight is theBetwayQueen Mother Champion Steeple Chase.Runners in thisGrade 1event jump over 12 fences over the course of 2 miles. It is the highlight of the traditionally knownladies dayand
is off at 3.30pm.
13:30 The Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade1)
14:10 TheBrown Advisory Novices’Steeple Chase (Grade1)
14:50 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race)(Premier Handicap)
15:30 The BetwayQueen Mother Champion SteepleChase (Grade1)
16:10 TheGlenfarclas Cross CountrySteepleChase
16:50 The Johnny Henderson Grand AnnualHandicap Steeple Chase ChallengeCup (Premier Handicap)
17.30 The Weatherbys Champion
comecloseonnumerous occasions,albeitmostlyin handicaps.Butthisseason heisheadingtherewith sometop-classprospects CramboisalreadyaGrade Onewinner,seeingoffthe veteranPaisleyParkinthe LongWalkHurdleatAscot, afterwhichhewasputaway toensurehearrivesathis localtrackatthepeakofhis powers.Inawide-openyear, Crambohasplentygoingfor him.
DYSARTENOS(MARES’ NOVICES’HURDLE,THURSDAY)
IfCramboisunabletoprovide O’Brienwithafirstwinner attheFestival,thenmaybeit willbeDysartEnos.Themare sprangtoprominencewhen sheloweredthecoloursof QueensGambleinaMarket Rasenbumper,wherethe consensuswasthefavourite hadunderperformed.The wayDysartEnosthenbolted upattheGrandNational meetingprovedthatwas notthecase.Cleverly campaignedthisseasonto avoidpickingupapenalty, shemightjusthaveabit toomuchspeedforthe Irishmares,whohavebeen winninginheavygroundall season.
SIRGINO(TRIUMPHHURDLE, FRIDAY)
THURSDAY)
Couldthisbetheyearthat FergalO’Brienfinallybreaks hisFestivalduck?Hehas
Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade1)
THURSDAY
One of the keydates for CheltenhamFestival2024isSt Patrick’sDay,asitmarks the third dayofracing. Thechampionship races todayare the Ryanair SteepleChase at 2.5pm and Paddy PowerStayers’Hurdleat3.30pm
13:30 The Turners Novices’Chase (Grade 1)
14:10 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)
14:50 The Ryanair SteepleChase
Youcouldnotfindahorse wholookslesslikea juvenilehurdlerthanthis fellow–buthecanreally motor.Whilehemaylook morelikeathree-mile
(Grade 1)
15:30 The Paddy PowerStayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:10 The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap SteepleChase) (Premier Handicap)
16:50 TheRyanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
17:30 The FulkeWalwyn Kim Muir ChallengeCup (Sponsored by The JRL Group) Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
FRIDAY
The focuswillbe The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.Over three miles andtwo furlongs long, this is the premierraceofthe event.Itwill
chaserthanasharptwomilehurdler,hemade aRoyalAscotwinnerin BurdettRoadlookrather pedestrianonTrialsday, sprintingclearafterthe last.Inmostofthelastfew TriumphHurdles,Willie Mullinshasheldthenap hand.Thisyear,however, SirGinoissettobearedhotfavouriteandtherewill belongfacesattheSeven BarrowsyardofNicky Hendersonifheisbeaten.
SHISHKIN(GOLDCUP,FRIDAY)
Giventhemannerof Shishkin’slasttwovictories, atAintreeinApriland Newburylastmonth, grindingoutwinsoverthree miles,itishardtofathom howhehadthespeedto wintheSupremeNovices’ HurdleandanArkleinhis youth.Whathappenedin betweenthoseracesalso castsaspersionsonhis character,asherefusedto raceatAscotandlooked alittlerecalcitrantatthe startoftheKingGeorge. However,whenhedidhit topstrideatKempton, heshowedthesizeofhis engineremainsintactwhen stillinfronttwoout–before unfortunatelytripping uponlanding.Herattled homewhensecondinthe Ryanairlastyearbutdid notlookhappythroughout andayearearlierhewas pulledupearlyintheQueen Mother,soitistobehoped therearenomentalscarsof Cheltenham.
begin at 3.30pm, and thewinner willtakehomethe GoldCup
13:30 TheJCB TriumphHurdle (Grade1)
14:10 The County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)
14:50 TheAlbertBartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade1)
15:30 The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup SteepleChase (Grade 1)
16:10 The St.James’sPlace Festival ChallengeCup Open Hunters’SteepleChase
16:50 TheMrs Paddy Power Mares’SteepleChase(Grade2)
17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145)
Dysart Enosridden by Paddy Brennan. Crambo ridden by Connor Brace. Grey Dawning riddenbyHarry Skelton winningThe Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase at Haydock Park. Inset, Sir Ginoridden by James Bowen.WinningtheBoodles CheltenhamGoldCup remainsrightatthetop ofNickyHenderson’s prioritiesasheprepares tosaddleShishkininthe latestinstalmentofthe CheltenhamFestival’s marqueeevent.
Hendersonisno strangertostaringon theopeningdayofthe Festival,winningdayone’s featureChampionHurdle arecordninetimes.But theGoldCuphasproveda tougherbeasttotamefor theSevenBarrowshandler throughouthislongand decoratedcareer
NeverthelesstheGold Cuphasmanagedtofind itswaytoHenderson’s Lambournbasetwiceinthe race’s100-yearhistory,with thequestforathirdsuccess intheblueribandstill paramountinhisthoughts eachpassingseason
“Aswe’vegivenupon theGrandNationalwemay aswellconcentrateonthe GoldCup,”saidHenderson.
“TheChampionHurdle andtheGoldCuparethe mostimportantracesasfar asI’mconcernedbecause itmeansyouhavethebest horseandthat’swhatarace isabout.
“AfterI’vehadahorsea weekIhaveownersasking whichraceI’mgoingtorun itinatCheltenham.”
Itwasnotuntil2011 thatHendersonbrokehis duckintheGoldCupwhen theheirapparentofthe stayingdivision,LongRun, slayedthemightyDitcheat stalwartsKautoStarand Denmanandthebatonof powerwashandedoverto thekeeperofSevenBarrows andhisthenmultipleGrade One-winningsix-year-old.
LongRunwouldfailto defendhistitle12months later,butHendersonhad anotherGoldCupwinner steadilybrimmingaway, andtwoyearsafterafirst victoryinthefinal-day
showpiece,BobsWorth wouldprovetobethe ultimatemodelofastaying chaserashestormedup theCheltenhamhillinthe handsofBarryGeraghty
Thosetwotreasured championswillalways holdaspecialplacein Henderson’saffections andarethegold-standard towhichfutureGold Cupcandidateswillbe measured–withthisyear’s contendermeetinghis guvnor’sapprovalaheadof hisdatewithdestiny.
Hendersonsaid:“Ithink Shishkincomparesvery favourablytoLongRunand BobsWorthandifyouare onlyjudgingthemonhome work,wellBobsWorthwas justanamazingcharacter becauseheshowedyou nothingandwas aslaidbackas ConstitutionHill –hewasjustthe nicesthorse.
“Onthe
racecoursehewouldjust gallopandgallopandgallop untilhecouldgallopno more.
“LongRunwasavery classyhorse,averytalented horse.BobsWorththough wasatrojan,aproperhorse. Justatrierandwhathe lackedinabilityhemadeup forinjustheart.”
Likehishandler, Shishkinhimselfhasplenty ofCheltenhamT-shirts hanginginthewardrobe andfromfourFestivalstarts hastwovictoriesanda silvermedaltohisname
However,theone-time shiningstarofthespeedy two-miledivisionsnow seeshimselfstaringinthe stamina-sappingthree-anda-quarter-mileGoldCup endurancetest.
Henderson,though,is notsurprisedhehasended
upplyinghistradeinthe stayingranksandsaid:“I thinklotsofhorseshave donethesame,ifyoutake DesertOrchidforexample, helookedatwo-milerto startwithandplentyof themhavedoneitandgone upintrip
“Youcouldsaywhydidn’t werealiseitearlier,butI thinkwedidandAltiorwas thesame–hegotpigeonholedasatwo-milerand wasthebest,sowelefthim there.”
Shishkin’sjourneyto leadingBritishGoldCup hopehasbeenfarfrom straightforwardsincethe daysofhisyouthwhen SupremeNovices’Hurdles andArkleswereamere formality.
toraceatAscotinhis disastrousseasonalreturn –itseemsHendersonhas hadtoutiliseallhisyearsof experiencetohackintothe mindsetofthe10-year-old ThatincludestheKing andQueen’sprimaryjumps trainercallingonamember oftheroyalfamilyfor assistance,withShishkin spendinghissummer withZaraTindall,blowing awaysomecobwebsbefore theseriousbusinesson theLambournschooling groundsbegins.
Alwaysonetokeep hishandleronhistoes–asshownwhenrefusing
Hendersonexplained: “Hecanbeabitofa‘boyo’ andweactuallysenthim awaytoZaraTindallforthe firstmonthtogethimgoing andgethismindonthejob insteadofdoingsomeeasy trottingandbuild-upwork here,becausethatiswhen hecanbeabitsilly.”
TheCheltenhamGoldCupcelebratesitscentenarythisyear andtomarktheoccasion,welookat10memorablerenewals ofNationalHuntracing’sblueribandevent
GoldenMiller’splaceinjumpinglegendissecure.Heisthe onlyhorseevertohavewonfiveGoldCups,andhealsowon theGrandNationalinoneofthoseyears,1934.
HismostfamousCheltenhamvictorycamein1935,when hejustgotthebetterofThomondafteragreatbattle Havingbeendeniedthechanceofasix-timerin1937dueto flooding,GoldenMillerledatthelastasa12-year-oldthefollowingseasonbuteventuallyhadtosettleforsecondonthat occasion OwnedbytheeccentricDorothyPaget,GoldenMiller’s reputationremainsintactdespitethepassingoftheyears andtheexploitsofcontemporary her th cor eq
Near-hysteriasurrounded theclashoftwoofthe greatestchasersinhistory,ArkleandMill House
Althoughboth horseswereIrish-bred andridden,itwasa classicEnglandversus Irelandtussle.MillHouse hadbeenbroughtacrossto FulkeWalwyn’sstable,whil ArkleremainedontheEmerald IslewithTomDreaper
4
‘Thebighorse’,asMillHouse wasknown,hadwontheprevious year’seventandhadbeatenArkle inthatseason’sHennessyGoldCup, althoughjockeyPatTaaffereported thathishorsehadslippedthreefrom homeandclaimedMillHousewouldneverbeathimagain.
Snowthreatenedtoruinthebigday,butitclearedintime asWillieRobinsonmadetherunningonMillHouseuntilArklebegantoclosegoingdownthefinalhill.
Battlecommencedatthesecond-last,butRobinsonhadto goforhiswhipfirst,andArklestartedtoforgeaheadbefore takingthefinalfenceinfrontandboundingawayupthehillto landthespoilsbyfivelengths.AlegendwasborninthatmomentandhewouldgoontowintwomoreGoldCups.
Thisracewillalways berememberedfor MichaelDickinson’s ‘famousfive’,asthe Yorkshirehandler enjoyedtotaldomination.
MarketleaderBregawnmadealltherunningundera22-year-old GrahamBradley(pictured) andwasfollowedhomebyhis ablematesCaptainJohn,multipleKingGeorgewinner WaywardLad,defendingchampionSilverBuckandAshley House Bradleysaid:“Michaelwasbrilliantinpreparingthemand wasamagicalmoment,themanwasanabsolutegenius. “Youhavetorememberthatheonlyhad60boxes,not200 esomeofthemtoday.Thequalityofhorseheassembled squiteamazingreally.Bregawnwonitoutofstaminamore ananything–andguts.”
1
PaddyMullins’wonder marebecametheonly horsetocompletethe ChampionHurdleGoldCupdoublein dramaticfashion.
Everythinglookedto beagainsttheinexperiencedDawnRunasacoupleofearlymistakeswent againstherandJonjoO’Neill washardatworktomaintainthelead astheyroundedthetopofthestraight
ItlookedtobegameoverasWaywardLadandForgive‘n ForgetsweptpastbutDawnRunfoundalittlebitextratoland afterthesecond-lastinfront,onlyforWaywardLadtoputon hisownspurt.
Hewassetforgloryjust100yardsoutbuthisquestionablestaminabegantowaneandDawnRundugevendeeper toclawbacktheleadandwinbythree-quartersofalengthin arecordtime
Allsettothesoundtrackofamemorablecommentaryby SirPeterO’Sullevan,whocried:“Themare’sbeginningtoget backup…andastheycometotheline,she’smadeit.”
Possiblythemostpopulartriumphinthewholehistoryofthis greatrace,astheflyinggreywas aniconwhotranscendedthe sport!
SimonSherwoodcouldnot sayenoughinpraiseofDesertOrchid’sbraveryfollowinghisthrillingduelwithYahooindesperate conditions.
‘Dessie’wasleftinfrontthree fencesfromhomebutitlooked alloverbartheshoutingasconfirmedmud-loverYahookicked onforvictory
However,DesertOrchidgave everyounceofeffortontheheavy ground,finallyoverhauling Yahooforalength-and-a-half verdict.
ItwasalsoanotherO’Sullevan masterpiece:“He’sbeginningto getup,DesertOrchidisbeginning togetup…Dessiehasdoneit!”
STYEAR’SFESTIVAL
Paul Townend wasthe leading rider at lastyear’smeeting with ewinners –namethem.
2. Whatwas thelongest-priced winner at the 2023 meeting?
3. Who secured aGrade One win on his firstprofessional rideat the Festival?
Whatprice wasStayers’Hurdle heroSireDuBerlais?
3
5. Which horse brokePaulNicholls’ three-year barren streak at the Festival when winning the Turners Novices’Chase?
GOLDCUP100
6. The race celebrates 100years in it’scurrent guise,but who is the mostsuccessful rider in the historyofthe race?
7. Therehas beenonly one French-trained winner of the race,namethe horse and his trainer
8. Whichhorse holds the distinction of being the longestpriced winner of the race?
9.FiveGoldCup-winningjockeys have subsequentlytrained a
race victor,name the last one to completethe feat.
10 Who wasthe last Britishtrained winner of the race?
MULLINSMADNESS
11 HowmanyFestival winners hasWillieMullins trainedaheadof the 2024 renewal?
12. Who rode Tourist Attraction to win theSupreme in 1995and givenMullins hisfirstFestival victory?
13 In what year did thetrainer
28th March1935: Racehorse Golden Miller,who wonthe 1934 Grand National andfive consecutiveCheltenham Gold Cups. (Photo by E. Dean/ TopicalPress Agency/GettyImages). –Pat Taafe’s record numberofGold Cup wins by ajockey –Arkle (1964-66) and Fort Leney (1968).Althoughabetterhorsethanheisgivencreditf Coinprovidedoneofthebiggestupsetsinracing landedtheGoldCupfromTobyTobiasatoddso DesertOrchidwassentofftheodds-onfavouri mostoftherunning,butbythesecond-lasthew ing,anditwasGrahamMcCourtaboardtheninewhowastravellingthebest.HejustoutfoughtJe TobyTobiasinabitterstruggleuptherun-in.
Norton’sCoinhadwontheodddecentrace,bu pearinthebestform,finishingonlythirdinana buryhandicapthemonthbefore.
Itwasanextraordinaryresultalsoforhistrai CarmarthenshiredairyfarmerSirrellGriffiths, beenupmilkinghiscowsthatmorning.
Itmaynothavebeenthestrongestrenewalbutno shouldbetakenawayfromBestMateashebecam horsein38yearstowinthreesuccessiveGoldCu Histwopreviouswinsmaywellhavebeenmo sivebutHenriettaKnight’schargeshowedplenty asheoutbattledthreerivalsupthehill.
SirRembrandtpushedhimeveryyardtothel Mate’swillpowersawhimedgeitbyjustunderal theCheltenhamgreats.
lastleave
14.
15.
16.
‘‘
Ablockbustershowdownbetween DenmanandstablemateKautoStar wasbilledasthemosteagerly-awaitedGoldCupbattlesinceArkleand MillHouse–anditliveduptothe hype!
‘TheTank’gallopedreigningchampionKautoStar intotheground,powering awayupthehilltoprevail bysevenlengths,withPaul Nichollsalsosaddlingthe third-placedNeptuneCollonges.
Theunheralded husbandandwife trainingpartnership ofMarkandSara Bradstockpulledoff anincrediblecoup asConeygreebecame thefirstnovicetowin theGoldCupforover40 years.
He’s beg to et Desert O beginning up Des done
“Denmanwasawesome,”declaredNicholls. “Hejumpedandgalloped andputKautoonthe backfootreally.Kauto didn’tjumpaswellas hecanandtheground mayhavebeenalittle tackyforhim “Wearenot goingtomake anyexcuses, ashegot beatby abetter horseon theday ButKauto willbe back hereand willwin plenty more races.” Those words proved correct,as 2007hero KautoStar gainedhisrevengewhen hammering Denmanby 13lengths ayearlater, becomingthe firsthorseto regainthetrophy.
Sentoffasa7-1shot,the eight-year-oldsoonhadmatters hisownwayupfrontandNicodeBoinvillesettledhismount intoasteadyrhythmtoensuretheracewouldbeathorough testofstamina.
Attackingeachfencewithgreatenthusiasm,thepair maintainedarelentlessgallopbeforerepellingthelatecharge ofDjakadambyalengthandahalf.
SaraBradstocksaid:“It’sonlyhisfourthrunoverfences, buthehadsomuchtimeoffandhe’swiseinhisownway.Heis afreak,hehasgotridiculouslylonglegs.”
Unfortunately,thoselegsprovedfragileandthehorse, whowasbredbythelateLordOaksey,Sara’sfather,failedto reachthesamedizzyheightsinthefuture.
RachaelBlackmore etchedherselffurtherintoracing folkloreassheaddedGoldCupglory tohertwoChampionHurdlevictories andtheprevious year’sGrandNational triumphinguidingA PlusTardtoarunaway success.
Stuckbehindawallofhorses turningin,BlackmorewaspatientandcamebetweenProtektoratanddualwinnerAlBoumPhototohuntdowndefendingchampionMinellaIndo,jumpingtothefrontoverthelast beforedrawingclear
“I’msoluckytobegettingtorideallthesekindofhorses,” saidBlackmore.“I’vehadsomanyspecialdays.Iwouldn’t swaptheGrandNationalforanything,butthisistheGold Cup.”
WinningtrainerHenrydeBromheadadded:“Rachael wasbrilliantonhim.Rachaelwassobrave,thewayshewent aboutit,itwasbrilliant.”
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WillieMullinsisthemost successfultrainerinthe historyoftheCheltenham Festivalandonthebrinkof registeringalandmark100th winnerattheshowpiece meeting.
Hecurrentlysitson94 winnersandifrecenthistory isanythingtogoby,heis likelytobringuphiscentury thisyearhavingbeenthe leadingtrainerfornineofthe last12Festivals
Here,wetakealook atthosemostlikelyto takeMullinsintoarealm manywouldhavethought impossiblewhenhiscareer began.
STATEMAN(CHAMPION HURDLE)
StateManhaswon10ofhis last11starts,withtheonly defeatcomingagainstNicky Henderson’sailingsuperstar inthisrace12monthsago.
February’sIrish ChampionHurdlesuccess attheDublinRacing Festivalwashisthird GradeOnetriumphofthe currentcampaignandthis consummateprofessional hasahappyknackofgetting thejobdonewiththe minimumoffuss.
GALOPINDESCHAMPS(GOLD CUP)
WhileMullinstreasures everyCheltenhamwinner, thereisnodoubtthathaving yourbiggestweaponinthe blue-ribandeventamongan arsenalofammunitionmust besomethingofacomfort blanket Mullinsdeservescredit forgettinghimbacktotop formashewasbeatenonhis twosubsequentoutingsafter winningtheGoldCuplast year.Heisgoingtotakesome stopping.
ELFABIOLO(QUEENMOTHER CHAMPIONCHASE)
Perhapsthebestexampleof
‘‘
Havingyour biggest weapon in the biggest event must be something of a comfort blanket
Mullins’strengthindepth isthathisEnergumenehas beendeniedthechanceto bidforathirdChampion Chasethroughinjuryand yetthestablewillstillfield theodds-onfavouriteforthe race
WinneroftheArkle lastyear,hedidhavethe tendencytomaketheodd mistakeasanovicebutin tworunsthisseasonhis jumpinghaslookedassured.
BALLYBURN(SUPREMENOVICES’HURDLE/GALLAGHER) Whilemanyloveplaying agameof‘MullinsBingo’ beforetheFestival,tryingto guesswhichracehishorses willrunin,theformbook saysitisundisputablethat Ballyburnishisbestnovice hurdler
Hispedigreesuggests hewillstaythreemilesno problem,andhedidwinover twoandahalfmilesby25 lengths.
FACTTOFILE(BROWN ADVISORYNOVICES’CHASE) WhenMullinsannounced intheautumnthatFactTo Filewastoeschewahurdling campaignandbesent straightoverfences,itwas
easytoberemindedofthe ‘FloridaPearl’route.
Ofcourse,thedifference beingthatFloridaPearl, perhapsMullins’first reallygreathorse,wonthe ChampionBumperwhile FactToFilefinishedsecond.
Hewasbeatenonhis chasingdebutbutNovember isalwaysearlyforaMullins
horseandhehasshownthe lasttwicewhatheismadeof.
LOSSIEMOUTH(MARES’ HURDLE)
Thestandoutjuvenilelast season,thedecisionwas takentomissthefirsthalfof theterm
Shethenenjoyeda sparklingreappearanceat
CheltenhamonTrialsday whensheblitzedthefield, albeitlackinganyChampion Hurdlecontenders.Mullins hasnotgottonearly100 Cheltenhamwinnersby over-facinghishorses, though,andwillbequite contenttohaveagoatthebig onenextyearwithher,all beingwell
Ifanybody hadsaidinthe year 2000 thatapproaching the2024 Cheltenham Festivala single trainer would be on the verge of saddling 100 winners at the meeting, it would have been seen as preposterous It is quiteremarkable,then, that this year WillieMullins is expected to bringuphis century, needing six to hit themagic number Here, we take alook at 10 of the very besthorses thatappear on Mullins’Cheltenham roll of honour:
1. Tourist Attraction (1995Supreme Novices’Hurdle)
The very first Cheltenham Festival winnerfor Mullins. At atime when he wasstill an amateur rider
himself,heentrustedMarkDwyer with the mount on the mare who went off a25-1outsider
2. CousinVinny (2008 ChampionBumper)
There is no doubt if youwereto ask him which washis most memorable success in the race,hewould nominate Cousin Vinny,asitwas a first Festivalwinner forhis then 18-year-old son, Patrick, who has gone on to breakall recordsasanamateur jockey
3. Quevega (Mares’Hurdle20092014)
Therewas notmuchtothe diminutivemarewho arrived from France in 2007 but eMullins worked outthe keytoher, she createdher ownpiece of Cheltenham history.
4. HurricaneFly (Champion Hurdle 2011 and2013) rricaneFly, whocame with atall reputation as aListedwinner on the FlatinFrance, became the first horse to winthe Champion Hurdle,
lose it andthenregainthe crown. Injurymeanthemissed the first twoCheltenham Festivals he was eligible for, and given he beat that year’s Supremewinner,GoNative, by 10 lengthsatLeopardstownin the Christmas of his novice season, youwould have to think thatisone thatgot away
5. Vautour (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2014, JLTNovices’Chase 2015,Ryanair Chase2016)
In terms of pure naturalability, Vautourhas to be amongthe best Mullinshas evertrained. Ahorse who certainly saved his bestfor Cheltenham, he wonthe Ryanair with adisplay thattook the breath away
Trainer Willie Mullinsiseyeing aremarkable milestoneTheCheltenhamwinner’s enclosurehasstagedmany famouscelebrationsover theyears.Buttheremay besceneslikenothing witnessedbeforeifHewick cancompletehisremarkable rags-to-richesstoryby claimi th t’ ltim
likehimandIgothimfive minutesdowntheroad.
“Thereareplenty ofqualityhorsesslip throughthenetatthe salesandthere’splentyof qualityhorsesgothrough Goresbridge.
“Iknowit’ nlyfi
neverknowwhereyour nextbargainisandIlike bargains!”
Hewickisnooilpainting tolookat.Unlikehistrainer hecutsafairlydiminutive figure.ButwhatHewickcan doisgallophardandfast–andfo lon
totown.A indeed. urntoIreland trainer poppedinto thelocalpub forapintof Guinness –asyou do–making headlines bothgoodand bad,althoughit sallgoodfun heisclearly elypopular ,inanarea eWillieMullins we’veputt sthereand wn,”Hanlon esucha elikehim fference sabuzz
Bag here
6. Faugheen (Neptune Novices’ Hurdle 2014, Champion Hurdle 2015)
One of Mullins’mostpopular trainees, on his dayhelooked nigh on unbeatable.A very easywinner of whatisnow the Gallagher Novices’Hurdle,the following season he endured averyunMullins-like preparation forthe Champion Hurdle by running at Ascot and Kemptonfirst. Sadly, injurycurtailed himafter that and he did notrun between January 2016 and November 2017
7. Douvan (SupremeNovices’ Hurdle 2015, Arkle 2016) Oh whatmighthavebeen. Super talented butalso fragile.There
were no signs of the heartache to comeashewaltzed through his novice hurdle season unbeaten. However, when 2-9favouritefor the Champion Chase the year after, he made mistakes and trailed in seventh, finishinglame.
8. Al Boum Photo (Gold Cup 2019 and 2020) Despite dominatingthe Festival by now, Mullins hadyet to win the blue riband.Stepforward the unglamourous Al Boum Photo. In 2019 he ranonce beforethe
Gold Cup, winningaminor race at Tramore,and his 12-1 success at Cheltenham caught afew out. But he repeated the trick12months later, withMullins sticking thesameroutine
9. Allaho (Ryanair Chase 2021and 2022)
If ever arace and ahorse were amatch made in heaven it wassurely Allaho and theRyanair Chase. Eschewedby Paul Townend in favour of Min in 2021,Rachael Blackmore made no mistake andthe punters sent them
off favourite, suggesting Town hadmadethe wrongcallprerace and so it proved, with Alla winning by 12 lengths.
10. Galopin DesChamps (Martin Pipe 2021 and Gold Cup 2023)
Unfortunate nottobe goingfor afourth successivew at the meetinggiven he tipped up when miles clear as anovic in 2022, he must have been some certainty in theMartin Pipe the year beforeoff 142. Mullinshas gothim rightbacktohis best mi season aftertwo defeatsand looks to holdmassive claims of emulating his former stablema Al Boum Photo
theotherdayandtheywere allwishingmewelland they’vegotWillieoverthe road,buttheyaretalkingto me,sothat’sgreat.”
AfterlivingtheAmerican dreamHewickwasreadied forhisfirsttiltatGoldCup glorylastMarch.Hewas runningafinerace,too, albeitprobablybooked forminorhonours,when tippinguptwofencesfrom home
Farfromthatbeing thefinalchapterinthis extraordinarytale,Hanlon’s prideandjoyhasonly
enhancedhisreputation since,bouncingbackfrom hisPrestburyParkspill withaGradeTwovictoryat Sandownbeforefinishing anhonourablefourthinthe FrenchChampionHurdle.
Hewick’sdefenceof theGalwayPlateduring thesummerwasalittle underwhelming,butyet againheroaredbackoverthe Christmasperiod,coming fromthecloudstowina thrillingrenewaloftheKing GeorgeVIChaseatKempton.
OftheGoldCup,Hanlon added:“I’veneverseena GoldCupyetwherethere ea up rs ld Shark
Hewick, riddenbyJordan Gainford, on their waytowinningthe bet365 Gold Cup. Inset:OwnerJohn ‘Shark’ Hanlon
PaulNichollsknowsthis year’sCheltenhamFestival willbeapoignantplace withKeaganKirkby“up therewatchingus”afterthe jockey’stragicdeathlast month.
Kirkby,apopular memberofNicholls’
Ditcheatteam,diedina fallwhileridingata point-to-pointin KentonFebruary
4. The25-yearoldwaslaidto restonTuesday withmourners intheSomerset villagebedecked intheblueand whiteofKirkby’s belovedBristolRovers.
ofhisfirstGoldCupwinner SeeMoreBusinessin1999, andpart-ownerofDenman, the2008champion.
Championtrainer NichollsdescribedKirkbyat theserviceasthe“ultimate starplayer”andthathis deathhadleft“abigholein thatteam”.
Ithasbeenapainfultime forNichollsfollowingthe deathofPaulBarber,owner
Nichollssaid:“It’sbeen toughfromthedayKeagan diedbuteverybodyhas knuckleddownandworked hard.Everyoneisthinkingof Keagan. “It’sbeena toughyearfor me,losingMr Barberat thestartof theseason. It’sbeen quitehard nothaving himaboutthis asonandthen losingKeagan. “Buttheteamhave ralliedtogether,everyone hasworkedhardandhelped eachother.It’sayoung teamandit’sbeenquite toughforalotofthem,but everyonehaskept the winnersflowing and wewillallbe lookingforwardto
Cheltenham.
“IknowKeaganwillbeup therewatchingus.Heloved Cheltenhamandanythingto dowithhorses.”
Thisyear’sCheltenham Festivalmarksthe25th anniversaryofNicholls’ breakthroughintojump racing’selite
Nichollsissendinga streamlinedsquadinto actionatCheltenham withqualityratherthan quantityappearingtobehis Festivalstrategy.Ginny’s Destiny,unbeateninhislast threestartsoverfencesat Cheltenham,isabighopefor theTurnersNovices’Chase andStayAwayFay–aFestival winnerinlastseason’sAlbert BartlettNovices’Hurdle–isa realcontenderfortheBrown AdvisoryNovices’Chase.
Lastyear’sGoldCup runner-upBravemansgame isaimingtogoonebetter inthemainevent, whileStageStar andHitmanare contendersinthe
‘‘
IknowKeagan willbeup therewatching us. He loved Cheltenham
RyanairChase.Captain TeagueandTeeshan couldalsoexcelonthe Gloucestershirecourse.
Nichollswonhisfourth GoldCupin2009when KautoStarwonhissecond.
Heacceptslifehas becomemoredifficultat Cheltenhambecauseof Ireland’sfirepowerandthe strengthindepththatIrish trainersWillieMullinsand GordonElliottpossess.
“It’salwayshardtowin attheFestival,it’salways
competitive,”saidNicholls.
“You’reupagainstGordon andWillie’sbattalions,it’s gotharder,butit’sallabout havingtherighthorses.
“We’llprobablyhave adozenrunnersoverthe week,butthey’rehorseswith chances.I’velearntoverthe yearsyouwantasmall,select teamofhorsesthathave chances.
“It’sasurrealfeelingwhen youwalkintothewinner’s enclosurewhenyou’vewon theGoldCup,there’snothing
JJSlevinisdoinghisbestto keephisfeetontheground ashepreparestoshootfor CheltenhamGoldCupglory aboardFastorslow
TheCountyWexfordbornrideralreadyhasa coupleofFestivalvictories onhisCV,breakinghis duckaboardChampagne Classicinthe2017Martin PipeConditionalJockeys’ HandicapHurdlebefore doublinghistallytwoyears lateraftersteeringBandOf Outlawstosuccessinthe Boodles.
HehasenjoyedGrade Onesuccessonhomesoil bothbeforeandsincethose Cheltenhamtriumphs,as wellassecuringanIrish GrandNationalverdict,but couldtakehiscareertonew heightsifhecanstrikeblue ribandgoldonhisreturnto theCotswolds.
Inthepast12months, Slevinappearstohavecome acrosshishorseofalifetime, withFastorslowelevating himselffromhigh-class handicappertoamajor contenderforthesport’s highesthonours.
Evenhisrideradmitsto havingbeensurprisedby hisrisethroughtheranks, saying:“Healwaysfelt likeanicehorse,butthe unfortunatethingisthere’s loadsofhorsesthatfeellikea nicehorsebutdon’tgetthere. Itwouldhavebeenhardto envisagehe’dgettowhere he’sgotto,inallhonesty.”
Fastorslowhastwice beennarrowlydenieda CheltenhamFestivalwin, goingdownbyjustashort headtoCommanderOf Fleetinthe2022CoralCup andpushingsubsequent GrandNationalheroCorach
Ramblertoaneckinlast season’sUltimaHandicap Chase.Itwasafterthat secondeffortatPrestbury Parkthathereallyfound anothergear,asheinflicted ashockdefeatuponthe GoldCupheroGalopinDes ChampsinthePunchestown GoldCup–andheproved thatwasnoflukebybeating thesamehorseagainon hiscomebackintheJohn Durkanatthesamevenue GalopinDesChamps comprehensivelyturnedthe tableswhentheyclashed againintheIrishGoldCup atLeopardstown,butSlevin isoptimistichismountcan makemoreofaraceofitat Cheltenham.
“It’sbeenawhilesince mylastCheltenhamwinner, they’rehardtocomebyand anotheronewoulddefinitely benice.”
JJ JSlevin is shootuing forthe Gold Cup with Fastorslow Champion trainer Paul Nicholls Pictures PA/GettyImages