Entries by DaveM

A Plus Tard camp feeling increasingly upbeat, as Gold Cup defence looms

A Plus Tard was nothing short of sensational in winning last year’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – but returns with a point to prove. Runner-up to stablemate Minella Indo two years ago, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding turned the tables with a stunning 15-length success under the history-making Rachael Blackmore 12 months ago. Few would […]

Galopin Des Champs carrying plenty of confidence in date with destiny

Willie Mullins is confident Galopin Des Champs is becoming “the complete package” ahead of his bid for glory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday. The most successful trainer in Festival history finally ended his long wait for a first victory in the blue riband with Al Boum Photo in 2019 – a success […]

Envoi Allen flies high again in Ryanair Chase

There was Cheltenham redemption for Envoi Allen who made a triumphant return to the Festival winner’s enclosure by winning the Ryanair Chase. The Cheveley Park Stud-owned nine-year-old is a winner of both the Champion Bumper (2019) and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2020), but suffered an agonising reversal when sent off favourite for the Prestbury Park hat-trick […]

Good Time again for Tony Martin at Cheltenham

It was a case of mission complete in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle as Good Time Jonny stormed to Cheltenham Festival success. Trained to perfection by Tony Martin, he qualified for the big race by finishing third to Maxxum at Leopardstown over Christmas, before tuning-up for his Prestbury Park assignment over an inadequate two […]

Stage Star strikes from the front for Nicholls and Cobden

Stage Star jumped his rivals into submission in the Turners Novices’ Chase to end Paul Nicholls’ three-year drought at the Cheltenham Festival. The champion trainer had drawn a blank at the big meeting since Politologue won the Champion Chase in 2020, but it proved well worth the wait as Stage Star backed up his smart […]

Gala Marceau bidding to settle any Triumph Hurdle argument

Gala Marceau looks to confirm Dublin Racing Festival Form over Lossiemouth as Willie Mullins holds an enviable hand in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. She finished seven and a half lengths adrift of her stablemate Lossiemouth when they met over the Christmas period, but turned the tables in style to scoop Grade One honours at Leopardstown […]

A Dream outcome to Champion Bumper is one to remember

There was a very special conclusion to day two of the Cheltenham Festival when 18-year-old John Gleeson steered John Kiely’s A Dream To Share to a thrilling Weatherbys Champion Bumper success. The 85-year-old Kiely has won many big races throughout a long and distinguished career in the training ranks, but one notable omission was a […]

Constitution Hill happy in his box with ‘do not disturb’ sign

Nicky Henderson reported Constitution Hill to be fine shape after his stunning Unibet Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The superstar six-year-old remained unbeaten under rules after cantering up the hill to prevail by an easy nine lengths from Willie Mullins’ State Man. Aintree is being discussed for his next outing, with stablemate Epatante, […]

Delta Work edges Galvin in Elliott cross-country domination

Delta Work defended his Glenfarclas Chase title as Gordon Elliott won the Cheltenham Festival cross-country feature for the fifth time in seven years. Last year Delta Work had to play the role of pantomime villain as he spoiled the retirement party of Tiger Roll by edging out the dual Grand National winner in a thriller. […]