Tag Archive for: Joseph O’Brien

Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win

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Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa stamped his class on the Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup.

The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton.

Stable representative Kevin Blake said: “That was brilliant, he’s a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him.

“No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good.

“I’d say it’s most likely that he’ll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I’d say it’s more likely he’ll go straight there.

“The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we’d like to do, if we’re allowed.”

New Zealand and Ryan Moore won the opening race at the Curragh
New Zealand and Ryan Moore won the opening race at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O’Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden.

Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore.

He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider’s urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third.

Of the winner, O’Brien said: “He’s a lovely big horse, he hasn’t a clue what he’s doing yet – he’s massive, the power and the size of him.

“We’ll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard.

“He’s a big horse and he’s all power. I know he’s not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.”

The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap.

Go Athletico (right) gets up to win the Scurry Handicap
Go Athletico (right) gets up to win the Scurry Handicap (Niall Carson/PA)

“It’s a nice birthday present – I’m the big 60 today,” said McGuinness.

“I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him.

“He’s a good horse and he’ll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that’s where he’s going to do next.”

Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan.

“I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It’s a real feel-good winner on many fronts,” said Davison.

“He’s a good colt and he’s learning the whole time. He’ll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.”

O’Brien eager to take on Hauk again with Wemightakedlongway

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Joseph O’Brien is keen to let Wemightakedlongway have another crack at red-hot Juddmonte Irish Oaks favourite Minnie Hauk at the Curragh on Saturday.

The pair met in a Cork maiden last October when Wemightakedlongway showed the benefit of her previous experience, beating Minnie Hauk on her debut by two and a half lengths.

Since then Wemightakedlongway has won one of her four outings, the Group Three Salsabil Stakes at Navan, while Minnie Hauk has so far emerged as the best of her generation, winning at Chester and following up in determined fashion in the Oaks at Epsom from stablemate Whirl.

The form of that race looks strong as Whirl has since beaten Kalpana in the Pretty Polly, a race in which Wemightakedlongway finished fourth.

“We are looking forward to running Wemightakedlongway,” the Piltown-based trainer said.

“There is some rain forecast and any rain that falls we think might help her chances in Saturday’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks.”

Minnie Hauk’s trainer Aidan O’Brien also runs Butterfly Wings, Island Hopping and Merrily, while the field is completed by Fozzy Stack’s Bay Colony and Johnny Murtagh’s Subsonic.

Tennessee Stud and Lambourn could have second Classic clash

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Betfred Derby third Tennessee Stud looks set for a rematch with his Epsom conqueror Lambourn in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

A Group One-winning two-year-old in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Joseph O’Brien’s charge was third behind Delacroix on his return to action in the Leopardstown Derby Trial last month ahead of his bid for Classic glory on the Surrey Downs.

Tennessee Stud was one of the few horses to get involved from off the pace as the front-running Lambourn provided Joseph’s father Aidan with an 11th Derby victory and O’Brien junior – who also saddled Wemightakedlongway to finish fourth in Friday’s Oaks – is happy to take on the winner again on home soil.

He said: “I was delighted with both runners over the weekend, particularly the horse in the Derby. He came home strongly and looks an exciting horse for the future.

“We felt that he’d improve for the run at Leopardstown, we had been working towards the Derby and he ran a fantastic race.

“I would imagine he’ll go back to the Irish Derby. You’d think a mile and a half at the Curragh would suit him well and he has had a good run there before (second in Beresford Stakes).”

O’Brien was similarly pleased with the performance of Wemightakedlongway, who looks set to to stick to Group One level after being beaten just over five lengths by Minnie Hauk in the Oaks.

Wemightakedlongway at Epsom
Wemightakedlongway at Epsom (Adam Morgan/PA)

“She ran great and we could have a look at the Pretty Polly maybe, or the Irish Oaks, or both,” the trainer added.

“She seems well after the race. We’d be happy to try the trip again anyway, that’s for sure.

“Hopefully one or both horses can get on the scoreboard at Group One level.”

Green Triangle lands Gowran Classic as Joseph O’Brien dominates

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Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a productive day at Gowran on Monday as Green Triangle led home three stablemates in the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic.

Ridden by Ronan Whelan, who was having his first ride back after a month on the sidelines, Green Triangle (11-1) rallied over a thrilling mile and a furlong to beat And So To Bed by a head with with fellow O’Brien inmates Viking Invasion and Dignam following them home.

O’Brien said: “The horse got a good set-up. We were here to try and get some prize-money. I said to Ronan to get a positive start and give him a chance because we had been sending him to the front.

“He probably enjoyed that, first-time blinkers, and he got all the money.

“It was a good race. And So To Bed bounced right back to form. I thought if she came back to her Curragh run she was probably the one to beat in the race, and it looks like she did.

“This fella is a talented horse but a tricky customer. In Killarney he was going to win when he jumped out through the rail, he’s always run pretty well.

“It was a great result. It’s great prize-money and we obviously always try and target those races.

“The winner will probably turn up in a nice three-year-old handicap somewhere.”

As for Whelan, O’Brien said: “I’m particularly happy for Ronan because he got injured off my filly in the Curragh, he got a cut on the back of his head, and today is his first day back riding.

“I was feeling sorry for him, it was a freak accident, and it’s great for him to get a winner and a big pot.”

Dancing Teapot emerged as another winner for O’Brien in the Today’s Gate Sponsored By The INPBA. Sent off the 11-8 favourite, the sister of Lockinge runner-up Dancing Gemini beat In My Teens by a length.

Scorthy Champ has Curragh plan after Newmarket disappointment

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Joseph O’Brien is targeting Curragh redemption with Scorthy Champ after he failed to land a telling blow in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

A Group One winner in the National Stakes at the Curragh last season, the son of Mehmas was well fancied for the first colts’ Classic of the year but was ultimately well beaten in seventh place.

The Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on May 24 is now likely to be next on his agenda.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but he’s pulled up fine,” O’Brien said.

“Newmarket is a tough place, as we know. It’s downhill there and it was a very fast pace, so whether it all just came a bit soon for him, I’m not sure.

“We’ll regroup and come back to the Curragh most likely. We’re still confident that a mile is a good trip for him and we’ll know more after the Curragh.”

One Look’s the business in Park Express win for Twomey

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Paddy Twomey’s One Look hit her stride immediately for the season with a smart win in the Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes at the Curragh.

The filly was ridden by Billy Lee and went off a 9-2 chance in the Group Three, returning to the scene of her impressive Goffs Million win on debut as a two-year-old.

There have been two wins at Listed level in the meantime, but she has always been held in higher regard than that by connections.

The reason for that estimation of her abilities was well demonstrated at the Curragh, where she ran prominently and easily saw off all rivals to score by a length and three quarters.

“I was hoping that she’d do something like that,” said Twomey.

“I told the lads last November that we’d aim for the Park Express. I looked for it in the calendar on the first day and it was missing! They moved it and it probably suited us.

“She’s a filly that didn’t blossom at the start of last year and we gave her a chance, then she did well in the Autumn.

“We decided when she was second in Gowran the last day not to race on at that stage with this year in mind. It’s great that the owners have been patient with me.

“She’s tough and I think a mile is the minimum for now, 10 furlongs will be well within her compass. She’ll have an entry in the Lanwades Stakes.

“She’s a Group winner now and we’ll try and go as far up the ladder as we can for the rest of the year. We’ll take our time.

“The ability was never in question it was just last spring she wasn’t ready to do what the world expected her to do. She’ll probably prove yet that she is that kind of filly.”

Green Sense made an immediate impression when striking on debut for Joseph O’Brien.

The Starman filly, who is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Irish EBF Maiden over six furlongs.

She made light work of a field of 10 as the 5-2 favourite and strode across the line three lengths to the good, bringing into focus bigger aims and an early-season target at Royal Ascot.

“She looks very nice. I’m delighted for Simon and Isaac and for Anthony Bromley, who bought her as a yearling,” said O’Brien.

“She’s a well-bred filly and obviously the sire has had a good start to his career.

“We liked what we saw at home and thought she was ready to run well but didn’t expect her to win like that, I didn’t expect her to win to be honest.

“I thought she need the run and there was a nice fillies’ race for her in two weeks’ time that we’d come back for.

“She’s pretty smart and that’s what the smart ones do. She was really professional and she has a very straightforward attitude.

“You’d imagine she’ll have no problem with seven (furlongs) eventually. The dream is that she might be an Ascot filly.

“Cowardofthecounty won this race last year and we went straight to the Coventry.

“I slightly regretted not giving him another run so I think we’d probably look to go either to the Marble Hill or Naas with this filly and then Ascot.”

The Tote Multiples Available On Tote.ie Irish EBF Maiden was then won by Daniel James Murphy’s No Return, who prevailed at 6-1 under Colin Keane to get his head in front on his 12th racecourse start.

“We ran him last Sunday in Cork but he didn’t travel well in the lorry, he got very keyed up and sweaty,” said Murphy.

“We left him in the paddock for the week and I only train a mile from the track here. He put back on the weight that he lost. It’s great to win.”

Puturhandstogether and Naturally Nimble flying flag for O’Brien

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Joseph O’Brien holds a pair of aces ahead of the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, with both Cheltenham Festival winner Puturhandstogether and Naturally Nimble bidding for Aintree glory.

The Owning Hill handler’s Fakir d’Oudairies was beaten a neck in this Grade One event in 2019, while Nusret also made the podium two years ago, and he has high hopes for his two contenders who he believes will thrive on the forecast ground.

“It looks like conditions are going to be dry which should suit both my runners,” said O’Brien.

“Puturhandstogether has been to Cheltenham, but with a reproduction of his run there, you would like to think he would be in the mix. He did enjoy the better ground he got at Cheltenham and we’re hopeful the ground will be the same.”

While Puturhandstogether was seen storming to victory in the Fred Winter, Naturally Nimble has been kept fresh since finishing fourth at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

Before that he was a Grade Three scorer at Fairyhouse and his O’Brien is keen to test his credentials in this company.

“Naturally Nimble is going there fresh and is a Grade Three winner who ran well the last day on softer ground,” added O’Brien.

“I imagine he’ll enjoy getting on firmer surface like when he won his Grade Three at Fairyhouse. We’re excited to take him there and we’re hopeful it will suit him.”

The best of the British could well be Live Conti who made the perfect start for Dan Skelton at Wetherby in February after arriving on the back of a win in France for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.

Held in the highest regard by his connections, Skelton deliberately missed the Triumph Hurdle to wait for Aintree.

“Harry (Skelton) was very happy with him at Wetherby and said he gave him a great feel,” said Skelton.

“Of course it’s a different set of opposition here, but like a few of ours, he’s missed Cheltenham and arrives here a fresh horse. We’ve aimed him at this and done a lot with him and we like him a lot.”

Another to swerve the Cheltenham Festival was Ben Pauling’s Adonis hero Mambonumberfive.

Pauling said: “Nicky (Henderson) has decided to go two and a half with Lulamba and a few others haven’t declared, so it’s opened it up to a few of the lesser-exposed types and I believe we’re one of them.

“When we went to the Adonis we hadn’t trained him to win that race and we were just hoping to see a performance that was better than the one at Cheltenham before that, which was a complete write-off.

“Kempton was a completely different scenario altogether and he’s in as good form as a horse can be and we’re excited. Even if some of the others had stayed in it would have been nice to see where he fit among a high calibre of juveniles.

“I think at this stage of his career he is going to be suited by a flat track and we go to Aintree full of hope and excited to see what he can do.”

Mathan on the money at the Curragh

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Mathan thrived for a step up in trip to open his account in taking fashion at the Curragh.

Sent off the 1-2 favourite for the Follow @ToteRacing On X Maiden in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, Joseph O’Brien’s son of Kodiac turned on the afterburners in the final furlong to put clear daylight between him and his rivals, delivering a bloodless three-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

O’Brien said: “He ran well the last day and it looked that seven (furlongs) would suit him well. He’s won nicely today and has probably run to a similar level.

“Dylan kept it simple on him. He’s a straightforward colt and hopefully he can progress.

“It’s nice to have a smart colt for Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, two lovely people who have supported me well over the years.

“He’ll probably be rated in the mid-80s, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that he might end up in stakes races eventually.”

Miami Destination showed great tenacity to win the opening Shouldvebeenaring, New For 2025 At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Maiden.

Adrian Murray’s youngster was sent off the 9-4 favourite after Gavin Cromwell’s fancied Joyful Tidings was one of two to bolt on the way to the post.

Having led early before being headed a furlong out, Wayne Lordan conjured extra effort late on to rally and reclaim the lead from Jack Davison’s Oh Cecelia.

“We knew going out that she’d have no bother going six or seven (furlongs) down the road,” said Murray.

“Wayne said she needed a bit of company, and she won well at the line.

“The ground wouldn’t have been an issue for us.

“Hopefully it’s upwards and onwards now and we’ll probably find a stakes race back here in May.”

There was compensation for Cromwell when J M’s Joy (11-2) won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden, while Fozzy Stack’s consistent Two Stars showed a liking for the Curragh once again when a clear winner of the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap.

Two Stars won well for Fozzy Stack
Two Stars won well for Fozzy Stack (Alan Magee/PA)

The five-year-old has some smart form to his name and was registering his third career success at the 85-40 favourite.

“He’s improving with age. He’s just one of those late maturing sprinters that is filling into himself the whole time,” said Stack.

“He’s a big striding horse and you don’t need to get into a row with him.

“He ran well in Doncaster last year, but you won’t see him running over six furlongs again.

“He likes that ground and will probably have to go up in class now.

“He could go for one of those races at Naas either side of Punchestown.”

Meanwhile, Sheila Lavery’s Pickersgill could have a bright future having broken her maiden status in the Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden.

Lavery said: “She’s been training very well but is just a bit opinionated around the parade ring.

“Robbie (Colgan, jockey) said she wasn’t doing a tap out in front and then she spooked at the 200-yard yellow marker. She then picked up and went on again.

“I think she’s an awful lot better than what she showed there. She was a bit fresh and buzzy there on her first run (of the year). She is going the right way, and I think she will keep improving.”

All eyes on Newmarket for Scorthy Champ

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Joseph O’Brien is preparing his star juvenile Scorthy Champ for a tilt at Classic glory in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Mehmas colt won two of his three two-year-old starts, rounding off his campaign with a top-level victory over Henri Matisse in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

O’Brien resisted the temptation to run his charge again before the end of 2024 and is not planning to give him a prep run ahead of a planned trip to the Rowley Mile on the first Saturday in May.

“He’s getting on well and seems to have wintered well and we’ll probably start him off in the Guineas in Newmarket,” said the Owning Hill handler, who was pleased to see his father Aidan’s Henri Matisse end the year with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“He looked a high-class two-year-old and the form of all of his races has worked out extremely well, so we’re excited about him this year.”

Scorthy Champ is a best-priced 16-1 for the 2000 Guineas with bet365, who make Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter their 5-1 favourite.

Charlie Appleby has a strong hand, with Dewhurst hero Shadow Of Light (8-1), the exciting dual Kempton winner Opera Ballo (10-1), runaway Meydan scorer Ruling Court (10-1) and Ancient Truth (12-1) all prominent in the betting.

Banbridge on course for Punchestown following Cheltenham disappointment

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Joseph O’Brien is targeting Punchestown Festival redemption with Banbridge following his disappointing effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, the nine-year-old went to post as second-favourite for last week’s blue riband behind dual winner Galopin Des Champs, but was a spent force long before the home turn and passed the post last of seven.

O’Brien reports his charge to have returned to Ireland none the worse and hopes he can show his true colours in County Kildare, with the Punchestown Gold Cup currently viewed as a more likely target than the two-mile Champion Chase he won last season.

Reflecting on his Cheltenham performance, O’Brien said: “He didn’t jump as well as we would have liked. He still looked to be going pretty well jumping the fourth- or fifth-last and he just faded a little bit from there home.

“He’s come back well and Punchestown would be a logical target for him now having won there last year.

“We’ll probably leave options open, but we’d be thinking about sticking to three miles.”

Another O’Brien inmate seemingly bound for Punchestown is Solness, who finished an honourable fourth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase having been unable to adopt his usual front-running tactics.

O’Brien added: “I thought he ran great given the way the race panned out for him. He seems fine after the race and you’ll probably see him in Punchestown as well.”

Liverpool Hurdle consolation on the cards for Home By The Lee

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Home By The Lee will be readied for the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree following his luckless run at the Cheltenham Festival last week.

Having appeared better than ever in winning the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown, hopes were high for the Joseph O’Brien-trained 10-year-old ahead of what was his fifth appearance in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

However, his race ended prematurely after he was badly hampered by the fall of Crambo at the fifth flight, which led to him unseating his rider J J Slevin.

O’Brien was left wondering what might have been given the eventual winner Bob Olinger had finished behind Home By The Lee in his two previous races this season and the Owning Hill handler is now eyeing swift compensation on Merseyside.

He said: “Obviously it was a pity the way things worked out as the horse he’d been beating all year came out and won the race, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes and he seems fine, so you’ll probably see him in Aintree.”

Home By The Lee is likely to be joined at Aintree by stablemate Puturhandstogether, who provided O’Brien with his fifth Cheltenham Festival success when running out an impressive winner of the Fred Winter a week ago.

A step up to Grade One level for the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle on the opening day of the Grand National meeting is now on the agenda.

“You’ll probably see him in Aintree as well I’d say,” O’Brien added.

“We’ll see how he is between now and then, but he got a good whack off the handicapper, so we might see him at Aintree.”

Dubai Sheema Classic bid on the agenda for Al Riffa

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Al Riffa is on course for an appearance on Dubai World Cup night having pleased Joseph O’Brien in his first outing of the year in Saudi Arabia.

One of the standout performers of the Owning Hill handler’s Flat string, the dual Group One scorer made his first start since running in October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when a respectable third behind Japan’s Shin Emperor in the Neom Turf Cup.

He is reported to have returned home from that Riyadh assignment in good order and is now being readied for a return to both a mile and a half and the Middle East, with O’Brien eyeing a tilt at the Dubai Sheema Classic with the son of Wootton Bassett on April 5.

“He seems fine and has arrived back in Ireland in good shape,” said O’Brien. “He will probably go to Meydan for the Sheema Classic now.

“The 10 furlongs in Saudi Arabia was a lovely starting point for him but you would imagine stepping up to 12 furlongs on a bigger track at Meydan, both of those things would be a real positive for him.”

Al Riffa can be backed at 25-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Dubai Sheema Classic, which was won last year by Charlie Appleby’s Rebel’s Romance.

O’Brien believes Banbridge has earned shot at Gold Cup glory

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Joseph O’Brien says he is “not afraid to lose” as he prepares to take on the might of Galopin Des Champs with King George hero Banbridge in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

A multiple Grade One winner over varying distances, bookmakers make the nine-year-old the most likely to spoil the hat-trick party of Willie Mullins’ superstar stayer.

He thrived when upped to three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day, staying on strongly to hunt down the free-going Il Est Francais in the Christmas feature.

That piece of evidence was central to connections’ decision to roll the dice in the blue riband and after bravery was rewarded with Golden Ace’s surprise success in Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle, O’Brien is willing a similar outcome for Ronnie Bartlett’s charge in Friday’s centrepiece.

O’Brien said: “We’re lucky, we’ve been really happy with all our horses all winter and it’s always nice when your horses run well or you are lucky enough to have a winner on the first day, like we did, as you can breathe a sigh of relief.

“He’s a King George winner, so people want to see him in the Gold Cup. Like we saw in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, if you’re in those big races and you’ve earned your spot like he has, anything can happen.

“We’re not afraid to lose, but we’ll give it our best shot to win.”

Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin was supplemented for this at a cost of £25,000 after showing up well behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup and is currently disputing favouritism for the Randox Grand National.

Inothewayurthinkin will run for JP McManus
Inothewayurthinkin will run for JP McManus (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

He is one of two representatives for the Festival’s leading owner JP McManus, who also fields Emmet Mullins’ Corbetts Cross, winner of the National Hunt Chase at the meeting 12 months ago.

“We didn’t really get a clear run of things in the autumn, he wasn’t right for the Betfair Chase and we kind of stumbled our way to the King George,” said Mullins of a season that has yet to see the eight-year-old sparkle.

“I don’t think the horse was right at Kempton when he didn’t finish off his race. We just put a line through it when he didn’t pick up in the home straight.

“Last season was a bit the same, we kind of trained him to bring him on and he did improve all season.

Corbetts Cross in action at last year's Cheltenham Festival
Corbetts Cross in action at last year’s Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

“If I could request it, I’d want soft ground, but he’s a horse that beat Found A Fifty over just shy of two miles, so he’s not a slow horse. He’s just a very clean jumper and I suppose softer ground would help him out in that respect.

“If we can get him to peak again in Cheltenham, I’m not saying we’ll beat Galopin Des Champs but we should be in the placings.”

Also looking to peak on the big occasion is Monty’s Star, who carries the colours of previous Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and bids to give Henry de Bromhead a third victory in the Festival feature.

De Bromhead said: “I’m delighted with him. He’s had a really frustrating season at home training-wise, with a couple of setbacks, and we just haven’t had a clear run with him at all.

“The Tramore run, we were always going to need. We hoped he’d have the class to win it anyway, but obviously the winner (Embassy Gardens) was very good that day.

Monty’s Star (left) will go for Gold Cup glory
Monty’s Star (left) will go for Gold Cup glory (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We managed to turn the form around with him at Leopardstown, but we still needed it a bit again. I thought he jumped and travelled really well and did everything really well, he just got a bit tired turning in, stayed on again and then got proper tired after the last.

“He ran very well around Cheltenham last year, he has good form with Fact To File and Jimmy Mangan’s lovely horse (Spillane’s Tower) and I think the extra couple of furlongs will suit him.

“Obviously, Galopin Des Champs is Galopin Des Champs and I’m not saying we’ll beat him, but I think we’ll run really well and who knows, it’s a horse race isn’t it?”

Mouse Morris’ Gentlemansgame will also run for Ireland, with British representation provided by Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker, Venetia Williams’ Royale Pagaille and Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor.

Henderson has no Cheltenham fears for Jonbon

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Nicky Henderson is adamant Jonbon is more than capable of producing his best around Cheltenham, as his prolific Grade One winner bids for a first Festival success at the age of nine in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.

Jonbon has been a superstar for owner JP McManus since he parted with £570,000 for the brother to Douvan and he is a rare example in National Hunt racing of a very expensive horse looking a bargain.

He has won 17 races out of 20 under rules, with all three defeats coming at Cheltenham, albeit the first of those can be excused as he was up against Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The following year he was second in the Arkle to El Fabiolo, while he made several jolting errors when beaten narrowly in the rearranged Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham last season. There are two victories in the Shloer Chase, run at Prestbury Park, on his record though and this season he has been foot-perfect.

“We think he is exactly where he should be and he wants to be, everything has gone right,” said Henderson.

“People have doubts about him around Cheltenham, and around Sandown he is just spectacular. But left-handed, right-handed, it makes no difference and he is perfectly capable of going left and he’s won the Shloer Chase the last two years. He’s in good shape and everything has gone well.

“There will be plenty of pace, which he doesn’t mind, as long as they go a good gallop he will be happy.”

Next best in the betting is Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale, who would be a deeply emotional winner.

Two years ago jockey Michael O’Sullivan partnered him to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for his finest hour in the saddle. O’Sullivan sadly died last month from injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, aged just 24.

Barry Connell (left) with Michael O'Sullivan after Marine Nationale's Supreme win
Barry Connell (left) with Michael O’Sullivan after Marine Nationale’s Supreme win (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Going to Cheltenham will be a huge plus for him, as he is so placid and he handles the place really well,” said Connell.

“His work has been excellent this year and looking at the profile of all the horses in there this year, he probably has the most scope for additional improvement.

“We started him off small at Naas and he ran a nice race and then he took a huge improvement at Leopardstown at Christmas and I’d say he then improved another 10lb when second at the Dublin Racing Festival and jumped brilliantly both times.

“He’s got the right profile and has won a Grade One around there, so another 7/10lb improvement and I think he will be right there.”

Paul Townend celebrates Energumene's victory two years ago
Paul Townend celebrates Energumene’s victory two years ago (David Davies/PA)

Willie Mullins’ Energumene is a dual winner of the race but was put in his place by Jonbon in the Clarence House at Ascot.

His trainer is banking on a return to Cheltenham being in the 11-year-old’s favour, although he seems unlikely to have the ground in his favour.

“Jonbon is way better at Ascot and Energumene is better at Cheltenham, that’s my hope,” he said.

One who has emerged as a real contender this year is Joseph O’Brien’s Solness, who since making no impression behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek has won two Grade Ones in Ireland.

“We never would have expected at the start of the season he would win two Grade Ones, but there has been gradual improvement from race to race all season,” said O’Brien.

“It was obviously a really nice performance at Christmas at Leopardstown, but then you’re never quite sure what is going to happen when it comes to backing that up.

“He did back it up at the Dublin Racing Festival and marked himself out as a serious Champion Chase competitor.”

Another previous winner is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Captain Guinness who benefited from El Fabiolo’s no-show in the race 12 months ago.

Rachael Blackmore returns victorious on Captain Guinness 12 months ago
Rachael Blackmore returns victorious on Captain Guinness 12 months ago (David Davies/PA)

“I think we all felt we saw a glimmer of hope the last day in Leopardstown, which is a place he hates. I think you’re better looking at him at the second-last than at the line and we felt he was running well until then, but that last furlong just kills him,” said De Bromhead.

“He just about gets the two miles, so we’ll have him the best that we can. Last year was incredible, he deserved it and the owners deserved it as they’re great supporters.

“He loves Cheltenham, as when he gets into jumping at speed that’s his gig.”

Weather could be pointing Banbridge towards Gold Cup tilt

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A tantalising Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup bid for King George hero Banbridge appears “more likely at this stage”, with Joseph O’Brien continuing to keep a close eye on conditions ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

Ronnie Bartlett’s nine-year-old relished a step up to three miles over fences at Kempton Park at Christmas, inflicting an agonising defeat on French raider Il Est Francais in the Boxing Day feature after a fine ride from Paul Townend.

A rematch with Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s chaser in either the Queen Mother Champion Chase or Ryanair Chase remains a possibility, with Banbridge holding an entry for all three feature chases at the Festival, but O’Brien is tentatively eyeing a shot at the blue riband if the sun continues to shine at Prestbury Park.

“I suppose the way the weather is looking at the moment it would suggest the Gold Cup is more likely at this stage,” said O’Brien.

“I do think there are a few showers potentially through the second half of the week so there’s no real update on the decision, but it is looking more positive that we could have a tilt at the Gold Cup.

“He’s preparing well for Cheltenham and his training has been very nice. The Gold Cup is a very special race and if we were to have a runner in it then it would be a special experience.”

Conditions in the Cotswolds on Tuesday afternoon were advertised as soft, good to soft in places on both the Old and New courses, but with temperatures rising, there is a real chance Banbridge could encounter his preferred going at the Festival for the first time since winning the Martin Pipe in 2022.

Banbridge returns after winning at Kempton at Christmas
Banbridge returns after winning at Kempton at Christmas (John Walton/PA)

He is listed as the general 4-1 second-favourite in the Gold Cup market for the mammoth task of downing dual winner Galopin Des Champs, but O’Brien feels there are plenty of other dangers among the possible Gold Cup field to also consider.

The Owning Hill handler added: “He’s never raced against Galopin Des Champs before, but there are a lot more horses in there other than Banbridge that are in the mix for the race and we’re very realistic about what kind of race the Gold Cup is.”

Banbridge formed part of a thrilling Grade One treble for O’Brien over the Christmas perio,d with Solness and Home By The Lee both striking on home soil at Leopardstown to put the icing on the King George victory.

Both carry major hopes in their respective Cheltenham, with Solness proving his festive success was no fluke when adding to his big-race haul at the Dublin Racing Festival and now as short as 13-2 for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two.

Solness has been magnificent this season
Solness has been magnificent this season (Damien Eagers/PA)

Danny Mullins proved a more than able deputy to J J Slevin in Solness’ most recent triumph, but O’Brien is hopeful Slevin could return to the saddle at Cheltenham.

O’Brien continued: “I’m very much looking forward to the Champion Chase and he’s in good shape and preparing well also. A dryish forecast would be a positive for him and we’re looking forward to it.

“J J is a big part of the yard and it would be great if he could ride him. His retained owners (Simon Munir and Isaac Souede) have a couple of entries in there, so if he has to ride one of them then obviously Danny has got a great tune out of the horse this year as well.”