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Three days to go: Your essential Cheltenham daily briefing

Willie Mullins chats the weight of expectations as Davy Russell throws his support behind Gordon Elliott

Saturday, 09 March 2024
Three days to go: Your essential Cheltenham daily briefing

Galopin Des Champs will face a maximum of 12 rivals in his bid for consecutive wins in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

I'm really looking forward to it and I've been talking to Gordon and you can just feel him building - Davy Russell on Gordon Elliott

With Ireland’s rugby team on the cusp of another Six Nations success, next week could be one to savour for the Green Team, writes Ben Hart. 

There could be big celebrations on both sides of the Irish Sea, with Andy Farrell’s side looking to bounce back from defeat to England and claim successive Six Nations titles while Ireland’s raiders pursue a fifth successive Prestbury Cup triumph. 

With just three more sleeps until the big Cheltenham Festival kick-off, let’s take a look at the latest talking points.

Mullins shouldering weight of expectation 

Willie Mullins could reach a century of Cheltenham Festival winners next week, starting the week on 94. 

If the task seems daunting, for Ireland's 17-time champion jumps trainer, it might not be. 

Just two years back, he achieved an unprecedented ten winners at the event, followed by six last year. 

The potential for success looms large this time, especially on the opening day of the four-day fixture. 

Mullins fires the favourite in six out of seven races, with a second favourite in the remaining race, so his prospects seem promising. 

But he has urged caution and suggests his historical successes are influencing the discourse around his current crop. 

In an interview with the Guardian, Mullins said: “Will we get a winner? Is this the year we have a blowout? 

“Last year we had six winners and some people were disappointed because they thought we’d break our hundred with a dozen winners. 

“We managed to win the Gold Cup and Champion Chase but the expectation is so heavy.” 

Galopin sees number of rivals reduced 

Galopin Des Champs will face a maximum of 12 rivals in his bid for consecutive wins in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup following the day four confirmations. 

Ahoy Senor, Conflated and Protektorat were the three horses to be taken out of the big race at the six-day stage on Saturday and are set to run in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday. 

Russell rooting for his old pal 

Few can claim to know Gordon Elliott quite as well as his former top jockey Davy Russell. 

Russell has swapped the silks for sequins in recent weeks and will compete in the Dancing with the Stars semi-finals on Sunday night (best of luck, Davy!). 

The pair combined to great success on numerous occasions at Cheltenham, with Tiger Roll and Envoi Allen just two of the star names to have brought success to Cullentra. 

Russell will play no part in this year’s action but that hasn’t stopped from tipping a big year for trainer Elliott. 

“I'm really looking forward to it and I've been talking to Gordon and you can just feel him building,” he told Horse Racing Ireland. 

“He's got a good team and he's a great man to put them horses together - he's just a marvellous trainer. 

“He's able to target horses on that one day to be at the peak of their powers and he’s a marvellous man and a brilliant racehorse trainer.” 

Weather watch in Gloucestershire 

The conditions at Cheltenham have improved to good to soft, soft in places, shifting from previously being soft, good to soft in places. 

However, soft ground is anticipated for next week’s meeting with around 5-8mm of rainfall forecast at the track over the weekend. 

According to the forecast from the Met Office, there may be light showers on Gold Cup day, though the first two days of the festival may remain dry. 

Did you know… 

12,320 yards of running rails surround the track – we don’t advise you get too close to these though. 

Trivia 

Yesterday we asked: In which year did Ruby Walsh win the first of his two Gold Cups on Kauto Star? The answer is 2007. 

Today’s teaser: The Festival has been cancelled just once outside of the War years, but in which year and for what reason was there no meeting?



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