Cheltenham Breakfast delves into the big issues of the Festival and there is plenty to dissect on the first day of the meeting this year.
Today, DOMINIC KING reflects how the ‘Four Horses of the Apocalypse’ saved bookmakers £50million in 2015, why Constitution Hill is polarising racing and reminds us that anything can happen, especially at Cheltenham.
Will curse of 2015 strike again?
We’ve been here before – 10 years ago, to be precise. The feeling on this glorious Festival morning is the same as it was in 2015, when you perused the cards, looked at the favourites and thought it was too good to be true.
A little reminder, if you need it. A decade ago, Willie Mullins arrived at Cheltenham with a squadron headed by what bookmakers were calling the ‘Four Horses of the Apocalypse’ – Ireland’s Champion trainer had ‘the jolly’ in four of the first five races.
They were, in chronological order, Douvan (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Un De Sce (Arkle), Faugheen (Champion Hurdle) and Annie Power (Mares Hurdle) – it was the ultimate Lucky 15, not least as Ruby Walsh was on board the quartet.
Douvan, seemingly the trickiest part of this accumulator, won the first oozing class. Un De Sceuax scampered up the hill to thunderous acclaim, while Faugheen steamrollered his rivals leaving everything riding on Annie Power. She was 1/2, how could she lose?
In 2015, Willie Mullins arrived at Cheltenham with what were dubbed as ‘Four Horses of the Apocalypse’ by bookmakers, with the squadron expected to sweep up at the Festival
But 1/2 Annie Power tumbled over the last hurdle to save bookmakers an estimated £50million
The equivalent quartet this year includes the hugely fancied Majborough in the Arkle Chase
Watching that race back, there is not a single second where you can’t envisage her winning. She travels like a dream and quickened, the roar when Walsh decided to let her loose shook the stands. But then, from nowhere, she rattled the top of the last hurdle and tumbled over.
Bookmakers estimate to this day that fall saved them £50million and the gasps and groans will never be forgotten. It will be fascinating to see, then, how the latest quartet fares: Kopek Des Bordes (Supreme), Majborough (Arkle), Lossiemouth (Mares Hurdle), Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle).
The odds with Paddy Power are just short of 7/1 and plenty will have the combination in all manner of singles, double, trebles and multiples. Just remember, though, this is Cheltenham – the place where anything can – and often does – happen. If something is too good to be true, it’s because it is.
Constitution Hill polarises racing
One of the joys about racing is that you can state an opinion without fear of recrimination, unlike how it is with the tribalism of football. Or, so we thought, until Constitution Hill came around.
We should be savouring a horse that can propel racing onto back pages and news bulletins but, increasingly this winter, there has been sniping and barbs and a desire from many critics to see a dent applied to his unblemished record.
It’s a puzzling state of affairs, something I spoke about with Nico de Boinville during the interview we published on Saturday – he’s not afraid of voicing an opinion, so this is what he made of it all.
‘People loved it, don’t they?’ he said. ‘Everyone loves a good story but everyone loves a bad story. It’s the jeopardy, isn’t it? That’s what brings it to the sport. People who get one over the handicapper. The introduction of social media and things like that, suddenly it’s in people’s faces.
‘But this horse is different. He leaves good horses standing. And I mean good horses. Literally, he is “woosh” – they are going for dead. The only other two who I’ve ridden that could do that are Altior and Sprinter Sacre. That’s what we are dealing with.’
Constitution Hill is a supreme horse, but he seems to be polarising racing at the moment
We should be savouring a horse that can propel racing onto back pages and news bulletins
Anything can happen
A little reminder that the good things can get beaten. Patrick Mullins told Mail Sport 11 days ago about his ambition to ride a winner at every British racecourse. He’d knocked 15 off and hoped to make it 16 at Kelso but had to make do with a second place on his first visit to Scotland.
He explained back then that he had Plumpton on his radar as his next outpost – those who have visited will know it is a beautiful little track – and it seemed a formality yesterday that Patrick would tick this particular box, given his mount More Coko was priced up at 1/8.
But it was actually a case of No Coko, as the gelding was beaten by 20 lengths. It just shows again, how remarkable last year’s title assault was from Mullins – these were the kind of horses that were dotting up as he chased crucial prize money. Now they are getting thumped on the chin.
Patrick Mullins’ failure to win at Plumpton on More Coko is a reminder anything can happen
One to watch
Keep an eye on the famous green-and-yellow quartered colours that are synonymous with horses that ran for the late Trevor Hemmings. His silks are still regularly spotted on racecourses and it would be terrific to see them to the fore in the Ultima Chase at 2.40pm.
This correspondent was at Haydock Park in February when Famous Bridge, trained by Nicky Richards, took the Grand National Trial with a display of powerful galloping and Richards had a glint in his eye when talking about running him at Cheltenham. There will be worse each-way bets this week.
Keep an eye on the famous green-and-yellow quartered colours that are synonymous with horses that ran for the late Trevor Hemmings (above), one of jump racing’s greatest supporters
BREAKFAST BEST BET
The heart says Constitution Hill but you can watch the Champion Hurdle without having a penny on. Just savour it for the sporting spectacle it promises to be. Today’s £1 each-way is going on Stencil in the Fred Winter Hurdle. The vibes are increasingly positive.
Preview Night hiccup
The great and the good of horse racing have been doing the Cheltenham preview shows rounds over the last few weeks.
Among the most watched of them was Paddy Power’s Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night, which saw Ruby Walsh, Lydia Hislop, Tony Mullins and Johnny Dineen make their top picks for the Festival.
But while it may have looked slick on camera, not everything went to plan. We understand that one of the esteemed panel dropped their £1,200 microphone down a toilet in Power Tower minutes before the show was due to go live on Monday, sending production staff frantically rushing into action to find a new one.
The guilty party – whose identity we are choosing to not reveal – went on to put a stellar performance on the show. The less said about the mic, however, the better.
Racing’s Ant and Dec?
Horse racing needs all the support it can get in its battle for eyeballs – especially with the younger generation.
With that in mind, Ruby Walsh and Fran Berry swapped their roles as serious racing pundits for pranksters as they set up a hidden camera show to rug-pull some of the biggest names in racing, Ant and Dec style.
Two big-name jockeys were among those who fell victim to the clever prank and both came across brilliantly, showing a lighter, personable side to the sport.
Except viewers will never see the footage. One star’s agent bizarrely put a stop to the footage being used while another was in bed with a rival bookmaker to Walsh and Berry, who said no.
An early, stupid Cheltenham own-goal from those within the sport whose interests are to grow it.
Harry Cobden meets Michael van Gerwen
Speaking of growing the sport, jockey Harry Cobden’s rise as one of the stars continues to grow. His latest foray saw him film with the best darts players on the planet for a Paddy Power social video that has done down a storm with punters.
While making chit-chat between takes, Cobden was heard to tell Michael van Gerwen he had a big week coming up before conceding: ‘You probably haven’t heard of it, it’s called the Cheltenham Festival.’
Van Gerwen laughed and told him not only has he heard of it, but he’s previously gone racing in Cartmel!
PADDY POWER’S CHEAT SHEET FOR DAY ONE
Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Patrick Mullins, Matt Chapman and Harry Cobden have made their selections ahead of day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
In Paddy Power’s daily cheat sheet, the five experts have picked out the horses they expect to impress as the biggest week in the British racing calendar rolls around again.
Seven races will be taking place and unsurprisingly most favour Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
See all of their selections for day one on Paddy Power’s cheat sheet below.
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival gets underway at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday
13:20 – Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Ruby Walsh
Kopek des Bordes has been doing everything really well at home since winning at the Dublin Racing Festival. With Workahead and Romeo Coolio in here there should be a strong pace so it’s hard to get away from Kopek des Bordes as the likely winner.
Mick Fitzgerald
Kopek des Bordes may well win but it will be without my money. Romeo Coolio (each-way) looks the solid option to me.
Harry Cobden
Tutti Quanti is the outsider of the field. If I was riding one of Willie Mullins’ I’d want to be on Kopek Des Bordes. He looks like a good thing to kick the week off.
Patrick Mullins
We’ve put a hood on Kopek des Bordes in the hope that will help him relax more. If he does he should have a great chance of getting the week off to a flyer for us in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Matt Chapman
Kopek des Bordes could easily blow this field apart, but the each-way bet has to be ROMEO COOLIO for Gordon Elliott.
14:00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase
Ruby Walsh
Majborough should win and I won’t be opposing him. Touch Me Not could be one for the forecast or the ‘betting without’ market.
Mick Fitzgerald
I just believe that the favourite Majborough will win. It’s as simple as that.
Harry Cobden
I can’t see Majborough getting beaten. There’s only five declared but I was in Nicky Henderson’s on Monday morning and I did see Jango Baie run. He was in very good form.
Patrick Mullins
We think Majborough is a monster and would expect him to follow in the hoof steps of Un De Sceaux and Douvan by winning the Arkle Chase.
Matt Chapman
Majborough’s jumping of fences has not been flawless and the Triumph Hurdle form is hardly incredible. I’ve had a decent each-way bet on JANGO BAIE for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville when I was assured three places.
14:40 – Ultima Handicap Chase
Ruby Walsh
I liked Broadway Boy but his last run disappointed me. Whistle Stop Tour will be better suited by the step up in trip to 3m 1f so I’ll side with him.
Mick Fitzgerald
A reproduction of his Newbury run when chasing home Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup should see Broadway Boy go close in this 3m 1f handicap chase.
Harry Cobden
I ride Stay Away Fay who’s obviously on a bit of a recovery mission and he’s been disappointing of late. I really like Crebilly as a potential winner. He could be one that just has a little bit up his sleeve.
Patrick Mullins
Sequestered could run into the places at a nice price for trainer Paul Gilligan, whose had Cheltenham success before. He’s been running consistently and has a nice weight.
Matt Chapman
I’m hoping for a good each-way run here from Henry’s Friend for Ben Pauling. A strongly run race should suit him and his stable has been in rattling form.
I also have to have a few quid each-way on HappyGoLucky for Mel Rowley. The old boy is chucked in on previous form off a mark of 140.
15:20 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Ruby Walsh
The hope was that Lossiemouth would turn into a Champion Hurdle horse but she hasn’t really proven it so this looked the obvious option. Kala Conti shouldn’t be discounted.
Mick Fitzgerald
Lossiemouth will be all the rage but I’d sooner an each-way option and July Flower fits the bill. Henry de Bromhead’s horses weren’t in great form at Christmas but she managed to win. She can do so again.
Harry Cobden
Lossiemouth is absolutely the one to beat. She looks like a penalty kick.
Patrick Mullins
Lossiemouth had two goes against the big boys and came up short both times so she reverts to her own sex in the mares’ hurdle. She should be very hard to beat and should follow up last year’s success.
Matt Chapman
Very boring I’m afraid and it’s not ideal she’s coming in off a bad fall, but it’s hard to get away from Lossiemouth. She’s just the best horse in the field if anywhere near her best.
16:00 – Champion Hurdle
Ruby Walsh
State Man worked really well in cheekpieces this week so they stay on him for this race. I’ve been with Brighterdaysahead for a while and won’t be abandoning her now even with Constitution Hill in the race.
Mick Fitzgerald
With Brighterdaysahead, Burdett Road and King of Kingsfield in the line-up, they are going to go hard from flag fall. That will play right into Constitution Hill’s hands as they faster they go, the better it will make him.
Harry Cobden
Constitution Hill looked phenomenal on Monday at Nicky’s. No other horse was allowed to school or be anywhere near him. Touch wood he jumps great and he’s got Nico de Boinville on board which is another positive. I can’t see past him.
Patrick Mullins
Until I see that the real Constitution Hill isn’t back in the room, I find it hard to see him beaten. However, the reigning champ State Man is a silly price.
Matt Chapman
Constitution Hill is in a different league to any rivals that might turn up, including Brighterdaysahead. He’s a brilliant horse and I’d have him much shorter in the betting.
All eyes will be on Constitution Hill as he looks to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown
16:40 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh
I fancy Beyond Your Dreams who has the cheekpieces on and that will sharpen up her jumping. That has been her Achilles heel so far. She has a great chance.
Mick Fitzgerald
Connections hold French import Stencil in high esteem and even though he was beaten 10 lengths by East India Dock in a trial race for the Triumph Hurdle, there was no disgrace in that.
Harry Cobden
I’m on Quantock Hills as James Bowen got a riding ban. I schooled him on Thursday morning for Warren Greatrex and he jumped great. The team are very confident. But Mark Walsh is on Puturhandstogether. That’s a big sign so he’s worth considering.
Patrick Mullins
Murcia has plenty of weight in the Fred Winter but has run a couple of eye-catching races. With the queen of Cheltenham, Rachael Blackmore, on board, we think she should go very close.
Matt Chapman
A nightmare! Stencil will be popular but I’ll chance Hot Fuss (each-way). One of the best of these on the Flat and has taken well to jumping when scoring at Sandown and a fair fourth in a Grade 2 at Chepstow.
17:20 – National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Ruby Walsh
Resplendent Grey for Sean Bowen and trainer Olly Murphy appears to be dropping in grade, will stay the 3m 5f trip well and looks a player.
Mick Fitzgerald
I’m torn between Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs and Neil Mulholland’s Transmission. I have a sneaky suspicion that something coming off the pace will win so those race tactics will suit the latter.
Harry Cobden
Herakles Westwood is not badly handicapped, he’s a class horse and he felt and schooled great on Thursday morning. One I do fancy a bit is David Pipe’s Gericault Roque. He’s got a big chance.
Patrick Mullins
I won on Transmission in November, he handles the track well and I ride at my lightest weight. The trip should suit him well and I’d expect him to go close.
Matt Chapman
Transmission will be out the back for most of the race but he might just finish off better than most for Neil Mulholland. An each-way chance.
