Updates
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Here Come The Girls – Female Jockey’s Cheltenham Success!
In the previous post we were waxing lyrical about the bevy of female talent at the Cheltenham Festival, with praise being heaped on the 2018 performances (a record breaking four wins for female jockeys) and hopes for 2019. Could Rachael Blackmore, Lizzie Kelly and co show that they can more than mix it with the men? Well, for…
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Leaps & Bounds: Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockeys
In the past decade at the Cheltenham Festival, while the Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award has been presented to just four men, the Holland Cooper Leading Jockey Award has been presented to just three, Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and, most recently, Davy Russell. Thanks in large part to long, fruitful associations with Paul Nicholls and Willie…
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Cheltenham Festival: A Guide to Ladies Day
Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned-regular, day two of the Cheltenham Festival is always one of the most popular – it’s Ladies Day. Never mind high-style, it’s all about high-class racing with seven races on show, including the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase. But expect to see a lot of tweed – and…
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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2007
The 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup, sponsored by Totesport, featured 18 runners but, frankly, will always be remembered for the presence of just one horse, Kauto Star. Originally trained by Serge Foucher in France, Kauto Star joined Paul Nicholls in November, 2004, and recorded his first Grade 1 win in the Tingle Creek Chase, over 1 mile…
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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2006
The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, sponsored by Totesport, was run on St. Patrick’s Day and featured 22 runners, including four trained in Ireland and one trained in France. In fact, Beef Or Salmon, trained in Co. Limerick by Michael Hourigan and ridden by Paul Carberry, started a well-backed 4/1 favourite, despite having been beaten in…
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Why Biggest Threat to Buveur D’Air Champion Hurdle Hat-Trick at Cheltenham Festival Comes from Mares
“Buveur D’Air” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Carine06 Only the Cheltenham Gold Cup carries more prize money at the Festival than the Champion Hurdle, yet – despite a big pot on offer for winning it – there isn’t great strength-in-depth to this year’s renewal. That may be one of the reasons why dual Champion Hurdle hero…
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Cheltenham Week: Willie Mullins comments on Laurina’s chances in the Champion Hurdle
It was easily the most resounding victory of Laurina’s career to date, but trainer Willie Mullins is hopeful the six-year-old will be primed for the Champion Hurdle during Cheltenham week. Cruising to a 48 length victory over her only opponent at Sandown on Saturday, Laurina is now second favourite for the Champion Hurdle…
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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2005
The 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup, sponsored by Totesport, featured 15 runners and had the distinction of being run, for the first time, on a Friday after a fourth day was added to the Cheltenham Festival. The original ante post favourite, Best Mate, who’d won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2005, was withdrawn a…
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Cheltenham Preview
It is now less than two months to the start of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. The festival for those not ‘in the know’ is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Initially titled the Grand National Hunt Meeting, the history of the festival dates as far back to 1860 when the festival was…