Sport Question

Run over three miles on the New Course at Cheltenham, the Stayers’ Hurdle has existed in its current guise since 1972. However, since the Festival Trophy, better known, for sponsorship purposes, as the Ryanair Chase, was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2008, the long-distance hurdling championship has become the second of two feature races run on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

In the five-and-a-bit decades since modern renewals began, half a dozen horses have won the Stayers’ Hurdle more than once. The first of them was Crimson Embers, trained by the legendary Fulke Walwyn, who won in 1982, as a seven-year-old, and again four years later, thereby providing Walwyn with the fortieth and final Festival winner of his career.

Long before Irish dominance of the Festival, Galmoy recorded back-to-back victories for John Mulhern and Tommy Carmody in 1987 and 1988 and the French-trained Baracouda did likewise for

Francois and Thierry Doumen in 2002 and 2003. Inglis Drever, trained by the subsequently disgraced Howard Johnson, went one better, winning the Stayers’ Hurdle three times, in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Indeed, Inglis Drever may well have completed a four-timer, but for missing the 2006 Cheltenham Festival with a tendon injury. The redoubtable Big Buck’s, trained by Paul Nicholls, did just that,

in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, having returned to the small obstacles following an abortive chasing career. Most recently, Flooring Porter, trained by Gavin Cromwell, was the latest back-to-back winner for Ireland, in 2021 and 2022.

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.