Friday’s race schedule/winners
Triumph Hurdle - Apolon De Charnie
County Handicap Hurdle - Wilful
Mares’ Steeple Chase - Dinoblue
Novices’ Hurdle - Johnny’s Jury
Gold Cup - Gaelic Warrior
Hunters’ Steeple Chase - Barton Snow
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle - Air of Entitlement
Prestbury Cup
GB 13-15 Ireland
We’ll leave it there for our live coverage this week. Willie Mullins and Paul Townend have once again won the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Thanks for tuning in and be sure to stay tuned for Brian O’Connor’s report on the day’s action.
This week was not short of storylines away from the winner’s enclosure.
Remember the spat between Declan Queally and Nico De Boinville? Well, more than a spat really given Queally made allegations of racist abuse. They did kiss and make up to an extent with a staged handshake on ITV.
Did you believe them that they buried the hatchet? Malachy Clerkin didn’t. Here’s his column on the whole affair.
[ Malachy Clerkin: Jockeys’ staged TV handshake won’t make racism row go awayOpens in new window ]
More detail has come out about Envoi Allen’s death. It was a cardiac issue.
Another figure worth adding is 3. Envoi Allen, following his last race before retirement, became the third horse to die this week after HMS Seahorse and Hansard.
The final tally from the week:
Leading Jockey
4 - Paul Townend
2 - James Bowen, Harry Skelton, Mark Walsh
1 - Richie McLernon, Danny Mullins, Nico de Boinville, Conor Stone-Walsh, Colin Keane, Charlie Deutsch, Harry Cobden, Thomas Bellamy, Ben Jones, Jack Kennedy, JJ Slevin, Darragh O’Keefe, Shane Cotter, Patrick O’Brien, Henry Crow, Gavin Sheehan, Jonjo O’Neill Junior, Patrick Mullins
Leading Trainer
8 - Willie Mullins
3 - Nicky Henderson
2 - Dan Skelton, Henry De Bromhead, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill,
1 - Padraig Roche, Noel Meade, Gavin Cromwell, Venetia Williams, Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Ben Pauling, Gordon Elliott, Joseph O’Brien, Cath Williams, Joe O’Shea, Jamie Snowden
Prestbury Cup
GB 13-15 Ireland
AIR OF ENTITLEMENT CLOSES THE FESTIVAL WITH A WIN
A Henry De Bromhead winner. Ireland keeps hold of the Prestbury Cup.
- Air of Entitlement (Henry De Bromhead)
- Hot Fuss (Tom Dascombe)
- Jump Allen (Willie Mullins)
Coming down the hill, it’s Farfromnowhere and Fiercely Proud...
Anyone could win this as they hit the final two fences.
Eventually, they’re off. Last race of Cheltenham 2026.
The Prestbury Cup is on the line in this one, with Ireland holding a one race lead at the moment. The two favourites, Kel Histoire and East India Express are trained by Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson respectively.
False start, flag is up. We go again.
Now horses are facing the wrong direction as they line up for a second time.
No bueno.
For the last time this week, here’s Malachy Clerkin with a race preview:
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
The meeting finale has got plenty of people out of a jam over the years, most notably Gordon Elliott, who has won the race named after his mentor no fewer than four times. It has thrown up some seriously good winners – Galopin Des Champs and Wodhooh are the roll of honour.
Elliott sends Wendrock and Sa Fureur as his principle hopes and both must have chances in what looks a wide-open renewal. Air Of Entitlement is already a festival winner for Henry DeBromhead and Jump Allen has been off since last season and could be open to any amount of improvement.
BARTON SNOW HOLDS ON
Just. Its On The Line looked to have fallen back after the last but made an almighty effort to get it back. A head in it in the end but Barton Snow does win for Joe O’Shea.
- Barton Snow (Joe O’Shea)
- Its On The Line (Emmet Mullins)
- Music Drive (Kelly Morgan)
Panda Boy is in the mix as Its On The Line makes a move. He’s in second, neck and neck now, and he does go into the lead with 6 to go.
A bad jump sees him drop to fourth but still well in the hunt.
Barton Snow, Bracchus De Balme, Panda Boy and Its On The Line are the contenders.
Gracchus De Balme leads as they head for home with a circuit to go. Its On The Line is well backed but has room on the outside to make a move when needed.
Barton Snow has moved up to third favourite, leapfrogging Wonderwall.
23 runners of the original 24, Wrappedupinmay won’t go.
And they’re off! Quite a few left behind in that start, looked a bit messy.
The betting for the Hunters’ Chase is as follows:
4/1 It’s On The Line (Emmet Mullins)
9/2 Panda Boy (Martin Brassil)
11/2 Wonderwall (Sam Curling)
8/1 Barton Snow (JJ O’Shea)
9/1 Con’s Roc (Terence O’Brien)
Desperately sad news regarding Envoi Allen. It seems a bit hollow to move onto the next race but needs must I suppose.
Here’s Malachy Clerking previewing the penultimate race of this year’s Cheltenham Festival:
“There have been plenty of back-to-back winners of this races in recent years and Wonderwall is looking to emulate the likes of Salsify and Pacha Du Polder for Rob James and Sam Curling. The big danger looks to be Martin Brassil’s Panda Boy who won in Naas recently and is unbeaten in Hunter Chases so far.
“Patrick Mullins rides Stattler, a horse who was once upon a time good enough to compete for Gold Cups and the like – you’d imagine if any of that ability remains, he could make a proper fist of this."
Envoi Allen has collapsed on the walk back with the green screens up, according to ITV. This was his last race.
It has now been confirmed that Envoi Allen has passed away.
The winner’s cheque today? Just the £351,688...
Mad to think that Paul Townend was supposed to ride Galopin Des Champs, and Patrick Mullins was originally set for Gaelic Warrior. Funny old game.
Townend is now the most successful jockey in Gold Cup history having won it for a fifth time.
Willie Mullins was full of praise for Paul Townend after that win.
“Could you imagine what was going through his head through the last fence, and what was going through mine? We won’t talk about that... We’ve had so many last minute mishaps around here, the way he did it was amazing.”
Rich Ricci (the owner) in tears, it should be said: “We’ve been trying to win this race for 20 years. It’s magic.”
Here’s the finish from Gaelic Warrior. For a race that promised to be wide open, that’s an astonishing margin.
GAELIC WARRIOR BLOWS THE FIELD AWAY
Paul Townend rides the Gold Cup winner for Willie Mullins. What a finish just coming up to the last few flights - no one was close by the end.
The Jukebox Man fell away before the last. Jango Baie finished well but could not get close. Likewise Inothewayurthinkin.
- Gaelic Warrior (Paul Townend)
- Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson)
- Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell)
Haiti Couleurs is done. Gaelic Warrior pulls ahead and will take some catching!
Haiti Couleurs doesn’t lift the front leg at the fourth last but manages to hold the lead. The Jukebox Man is making a big move, as is Gaelic Warrior. This is tight...
With 10 to go, Haiti Couleurs starts to stretch the lead just a touch.
Grey Dawning with mistakes at back-to-back jumps but still in it. The Jukebox Man overtakes into second.
Inothewayurthinkin is detached as the back marker.
Gaelic Warrior is in fourth. Haiti Couleurs continues to lead as we get close to the halfway mark. Grey Dawning in second, The Jukebox Man is next.
Will they get off cleanly?
They do. They’re off!
Gaelic Warrior gets an early lead on the inside. Keen start for the favourite.
Haiti Couleurs catches up to take the lead ahead of the water jump. The Jukebox Man is also near the front.
Here’s the betting for the big one. Gaelic Warrior is still the favourite.
5/2 Gaelic Warrior (Willie Mullins)
10/3 Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson)
7/2 The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling)
6/1 Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis)
17/2 Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell)
Word is that Gaelic Warrior was a bit more energetic than usual in the paddock...
Envoi Allen is 33/1 in his last race.
It’s time for the big one. Just over 20 minutes until the Gold Cup. Who do you have? Envoi Allen with one last hurrah? Gaelic Warrior? Jango Baie? The Jukebox Man for Harry Redknapp? Good luck... FYI - it is now chucking it down.
Here’s the preview from Malachy Clerkin:
“The pinnacle of the week and the most open-looking Gold Cup in years. Hard to count out many of these – certainly you wouldn’t be shocked if the likes of Firefox or Envoi Allen were still in there pitching as they turn for home. Gaelic Warrior has always been a curiously under-rated horse for one with a fine festival record and could put an end to the doubts about him here.
“But it could just be that the British trainers hold the key here, having not won the race since Colin Tizzard’s Native River did the business in 2018. Jango Baie has improved all the way since winning the Arkle last year and The Jukebox Man would be popular winner for Harry Redknapp. But the Gold Cup is a stamina test above all and Haiti Couleurs for Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen looks to have endless reserves of it. A first Welsh winner of the Gold Cup since Norton’s Coin in 1990? Big chance.”
Some finish in this one, definitely the most exciting of the day so far.
JOHNNY’S JURY WINS IT
What a finish. Doctor Steinberg faded badly leaving a very tight finish. Fruit De Mer looked to be in pole position after the last flight but Johnny’s Jury came up the outside beautifully to take it.
Gavin Sheehan gets unseated as the horse is a bit spooked just before the winning interview but all is well.
Maybe not - the interview is canned midway through as Johnny’s Jury gets jumpy.
- Johnny’s Jury (Jamie Snowden)
- Fruit De Mer (Henry De Bromhead)
- The Passing Wife (Gavin Cromwell)
Doctor Steinberg still leads the way with two to go. Swindon Village is running well...
Seven to go and Doctor Steinberg leads. Paul Townend with a firm grip as he tries to settle. The rain is falling now.
Big field, inevitably, means a false start.
To be fair, this is the first issue today. But it continues the theme of the week.
Now they’re off!
The current betting ahead of the Albert Bartlett:
10/3 Doctor Steinberg (Willie Mullins)
13/2 Thedeviluno (Paul Nolan)
10/1 The Passing Wife (Gavin Cromwell)
14/1 Espresso Milan (Willie Mullins)
14/1 King’s Bucks (Henry De Bromhead)
One more race before the Gold Cup and it’s the Albert Bartlett Hurdle. Given the history of high-priced winners, this could be another blow for the punters this week.
Here’s Malachy’s preview:
“This three-miles hurdle race is strictly one for the stayers and often throws up a big-priced winner – 10 of the last 12 have been returned at double-figure prices, including a 50/1, three 33s and two 18s.
“So although Doctor Steinberg for Mullins/Townend is well fancied at the top of the market, this is definitely a race to go truffling for something at a working-man’s price. Fruit De Mer for Henry DeBromhead and Sean Flanagan could fit the bill – a fine staying-on third in a Grade One behind I’ll Sort That in Naas in January hinted at more to come when stepped up in trip."
Plenty wondering if Dinoblue should move away from the Mares. On ITV, AP McCoy is of the opinion that, if she’s dominant there, why move her?
DINOBLUE WINS AGAIN
Only By Night tried in vain to rain her in on the straight. Panic Attack is well back in third.
- Dinoblue (Willie Mullins)
- Only By Night (Gavin Cromwell)
- Panic Attack (Dan Skelton)
July Flower has joined the reckoning as Dinoblue and Panic Attack duke it out. Telepathique has fallen.
Ten fences to go and it’s Telepathique ahead of Panic Attack and Dinoblue.
Stan Sheppard has just been unseated by Piper Park. To be fair, he stuck the landing. But there’s work to do to get up the hill!
Stan is back on board and they’re off!
Right then. Here’s the betting for the Mares.
11/8 Dinoblue (Willie Mullins)
10/3 Panic Attack (Dan Skelton)
5/1 Spindleberry (Willie Mullins)
7/1 July Flower (Henry De Bromhead)
10/1 Only By Night (Gavin Cromwell)
40/1 Telepathique (Lucy Wadham)
125/1 All The Glory (Jonjo and AJ O’Neill)
125/1 Piper Park (Tom Lacey)
NR Diva Luna (Ben Pauling)
Ruby Walsh gets plenty of praise on weeks like this when he gets to show off his racing punditry skills.
Turns out he has a good eye for, well, tomfoolery? Shenanigans? Horseplay? (Pun very much intended)
This will give you a giggle if you need one.
Quite a popular winner that one, it has to be said.
Next up is the Mares’ Chase. Here’s Malachy with what you need to know:
“For a race with a small field, there are plenty here with chances. Last year’s winner Dinoblue is highly fancied to retain her crown for Willie Mullins, having won two from two already this season.
“You wouldn’t count out stablemate Spindlebury, although she’d need to be forgiven a terrible run in the Irish Gold Cup last time out. Panic Attack is the Skeltons’ runner, on the back of three wins from three this season.
“All in all, it’s a very tricky race to work out – when in doubt, take your pick of the Mullins runners and go with that."
Jonjo Jr is nearly in tears in his winning jockey interview. Says it’s been a tough year on and off the track (he’s had injury trouble) and he thanks his mum and dad for their support.
WILFUL WINS IT FOR THE O’NEILLS
Strong, strong finish to win comfortably. A 14/1 winner. A second winner of the week for the O’Neills. Jonjo O’Neill Jr riding for his brother and his dad. Karbau got bunched up towards the last and doesn’t feature, despite finishing strong.
- Wilful (Jonjo and AJ O’Neill)
- Sticktotheplan (Olly Murphy)
- Joyeuse (Nicky Henderson)
Ooh Betty continues to lead. One jump to go!
Balko D’ange falls at the fourth fence.
The favourite, Karbau, is well back.
And they’re off!
Another clean start.
Ooh Betty is into an early lead but not much in it after the first few flights.
Murcia has jumped up to third favourite in the late betting, 13/2. Sinnatra is at 4/1 now, level with Karbau and challenging for the status of late favourite.
Circa 10 minutes out from the next one, here’s the current betting. This is Paul Townend’s only run in a handicap all week. Riding Karbau, is that a tip in of itself?
4/1 Karbau (Willie Mullins)
11/2 Sinnatra (Dan Skelton)
9/1 Secret Squirrel (Hughie Morrison)
11/1 Joyeuse (Nicky Henderson)
11/1 Murcia (Willie Mullins)
11/1 Wilful (Jonjo & AJ O’Neill)
Hamlet’s Night is not running.
Up next is the County Handicap Hurdle. Our preview-expert Malachy is leaning towards another Mullins winner.
“This is always one of the most competitive races all year – last year’s winner Kargese won the Arkle on Tuesday and the 2022 winner State Man has gathered in around €2m in prizemoney in a brilliant career.
“Blindly following the Townend/Mullins combo has done the trick in three out of the past four runnings and they team up to bring Karbau here, looking like a progressive horse who hasn’t shown his best yet. The Skeltons have an interesting runner in Sinnatra – his third behind Act Of Innocence last month looks even better since that horse came second in the Turners on Wednesday.
“Absurde has won this race and been third in it and can be depended upon to give Patrick Mullins - winner of the first race today - a good spin.”
Another big priced runner wins this week, Apolon coming home at 50/1. It’s not been a good festival for the punters!
Here’s the clip of the end of that one. Willie Mullins on ITV pointing out that Apolon had to win it twice, such was Minella Study’s push at the last jump.
It’s worth pointing out that Mullins has tied Nicky Henderson with seven wins in this race. It’s five-in-a-row in the Triumph for the Irish trainer.
Interesting winning interview from jockey Patrick Mullins, talking about his father who now looks all but uncatchable in the race for leading trainer in the week:
“I’ve never seen my father doubt himself as much as this winter. He gets a lot of advice from people, he’s doing this wrong or that wrong. But he sticks to his gut and more often than not ges it right.”
APOLON DE CHARNIE TAKES IT
We did say it could be a Mullins horse, but good look guessing which one. After winning this with a 100/1 runner last year, Willie has done it at half the price this time around, Patrick Mullins riding the winner on 50/1.
It was a battle between Apolon De Charnie and Minella Study at the last, the latter getting off much better. But Apolon found another gear up the hill as Minella Study was beaten into third.
- Apolon De Charnie (Willie Mullins)
- Maestro Conti (Dan Skelton)
- Minella Study (Adam Nicol)
Fantasy World, who was at 66/1, continues to lead with two to go. Proactif, the favourite, has work to do here. Looks to be bunched in.
Fantasy World is now gone, pulled up before the second last.
Hyland Crystal now is in contention.
Fantasy World with Nico De Boinville take an early lead. About a length in it.
Ooh Macho Man is gone. Didn’t fall at the flight but has been pulled up after a mistake.
Beautiful sunny day in Cheltenham. Few clouds mean it could be changeable but it’s a much nicer day than yesterday. Let’s hope the better fortunes in the weather are matched by improvements in how these races get underway. There have been issues all week.
The roar of the crowd tells you they’re off without any problems!
The punters are backing Mullins over Elliott in the opener.
Proactif has leapfrogged Highland Crystal as the favourite for the Triumph Hurdle.
Ground conditions were a big talking point yesterday, with Fact To File withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase by Willie Mullins and JP McManus due to the hard ground.
McManus has already pulled another of his horses (not trained by Mullins) from the Gold Cup as Spillane’s Tower will not run.
The conversation continues today. Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy seem to agree with those looking for softer ground.
Here’s the betting for the opener. Will Gordon Elliott get a second winner of the week?
9/2 Highland Crystal (Gordon Elliott)
11/2 Proactif (Willie Mullins)
11/2 Selma De Vary (Willie Mullins)
13/2 Maestro Conti (Dan Skelton)
13/2 Minella Study (Adam Nicol)
Time to focus on the first race of the day, just about 25 minutes from now.
Willie Mullins almost has half the field in the Triumph Hurdle with nine of the 20 runners. Good luck guessing which one is the best, though. Here’s Malachy Clerkin with his race preview:
“Fair to say Mullins has a chance in this Day Four opener for juvenile hurdlers. Not only has he trained the winner in five of the past six runnings, he has half the field running for him here. Impossible to know which of his nine runners is the best – he won it with a 100/1 shot last year.
“Selma De Very is Paul Townend’s choice and he has won it with the likes of Lossiemouth and Majborough in the past. Others to keep an eye on are Gigginstown runner Mon Creuset and Maestro Conti for the Skeltons.”
We’ll drop another Gold Cup read in here now. A Welsh horse hasn’t won it since 1990.
Could Rebecca Curtis change that with Haiti Couleurs?
Read more here.
First news of the day on the runners.
Diva Luna will not go in the Mares’ Chase.
Plenty of Gold Cup reads for you to get into the spirit of things ahead of the day’s showpiece.
Harry Redknapp owns a runner in this one, with our racing correspondent Brian O’Connor exploring the value to brand Cheltenham should Harry get over the line. I for one think, should the former football boss win, he has to give his parade ring interview from a car window.
Does he have a chance? His runner, The Jukebox Man, is currently joint second favourite at 7/2.
You can read Brian’s article here.
[ Harry Redknapp aiming for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory with The Jukebox ManOpens in new window ]
It’s worth looking at the main facts and figures as we head into day four. Paul Townend and Willie Mullins still lead the individual standings, even if Mullins and JP McManus pulled the favourite Fact To File out of yesterday’s Ryanair Chase.
Leading Jockey
3 - Paul Townend
2 - James Bowen, Harry Skelton
1 - Richie McLernon, Mark Walsh, Danny Mullins, Nico de Boinville, Conor Stone-Walsh, Colin Keane, Charlie Deutsch, Harry Cobden, Thomas Bellamy, Ben Jones, Jack Kennedy, JJ Slevin, Darragh O’Keefe, Shane Cotter
Leading Trainer
5 - Willie Mullins
3 - Nicky Henderson
2 - Dan Skelton
1 - Padraig Roche, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, Noel Meade, Gavin Cromwell, Venetia Williams, Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Ben Pauling, Gordon Elliott, Joseph O’Brien, Henry De Bromhead, Cath Williams
Prestbury Cup
GB 10-11 Ireland
Hello all and welcome to The Irish Times live blog for the fourth and final day of this year’s Cheltenham festival!
It’s Gold Cup day. The Prestbury Cup is also tight with Ireland holding a narrow lead.
There’s plenty going on today. Stick with us as we build up to the first race at 1.20pm.
