Could a British-trained horse win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the first time since 2018?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the pinnacle events in the National Hunt calendar, drawing top-tier horses, trainers, and jockeys from across the UK and Ireland to vie for racing glory. For those involved in horse race betting online, it’s a festival highlight, with punters eagerly watching the odds as contenders take to the field each year.
However, British racing fans have been left disappointed since 2018, when Native River galloped to victory, bringing home the trophy for Somerset-based trainer Colin Tizzard and legendary jockey Richard Johnson.
Since that triumphant moment, it has been the Irish who’ve dominated, leaving British trainers and their followers wondering if the winning streak might one day shift back across the Irish Sea.
Irish dominance at Cheltenham has only strengthened over the past few years. Willie Mullins, an icon of the sport, achieved his first Cheltenham Gold Cup win with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and repeated the feat the following year. His success continued to soar, as Mullins surpassed the milestone of 100 Cheltenham Festival wins last season.
Henry de Bromhead, another Irish maestro, then went on to secure back-to-back Gold Cups in 2021 and 2022 with Minella Indo and A Plus Tard, and in a historic twist, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to claim the prestigious prize.
Most recently, Mullins returned to the podium, with Galopin Des Champs claiming victory for the past two years and now aiming for a momentous hat-trick in 2024 as the clear ante-post favourite.
Britain hasn’t lacked determination, with several commendable efforts. Santini in 2020 and Bravemansgame in recent years both came close but fell short of reclaiming the Gold Cup title. Santini’s heart-wrenching neck defeat to Al Boum Photo in 2020 and Bravemansgame’s recent second-place efforts are bittersweet reminders of how close British-trained horses have come to breaking the Irish stranglehold.
As the 2024 race approaches, the Irish contingent remains the favourite. Galopin Des Champs leads the betting, joined by fellow Irish hopefuls Fact To File, Fastorslow, and Gerri Colombe—all of whom have promising form and proven talent over fences.
Yet, if there is a British horse who could upset the Irish monopoly, it might be Grey Dawning, who has shown potential and holds current odds of 14/1. Trained by Dan Skelton, the seven-year-old had a strong novice season last year, with a notable victory in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last year.
Grey Dawning will have a crucial test at the Haydock Chase before the Gold Cup. Success in Merseyside could solidify his place in the conversation, building confidence among his team and supporters.
Another British hopeful, Ginny’s Destiny, trained by Paul Nicholls, also deserves mention. Nicholls’ chaser has shown moments of brilliance, including a victory over Grey Dawning at Cheltenham last December, though his current odds of 40/1 reflect the uphill battle he faces against the Irish heavyweights.
While the odds may not favour a British winner, racing fans know that surprises often lurk within the season. Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny both have the potential to grow and adapt and with skill and luck on their side, one might defy the odds and reclaim the trophy for Britain.
Until then, the Gold Cup remains a tantalising challenge, with the Irish standing firm as the ones to beat.