Now then folks, cast your mind back to 2021. Fond memories? Bit meh? Well, imagine being a UK racing trainer…
Let’s not forget they took one hell of a beating last year on their own turf, with Ireland recording a record 23 victories at Cheltenham.
They shouldn’t need any more motivation to come over here and win some pride back, should they?
Well, we’ve had an idea to really spice up the competition for 2022.
On top of trying to attract more of the big Irish contenders to the race, we are also laying down the gauntlet to UK trainers to come and have a go at running a horse in Ireland’s principal steeplechase and beat us in our own backyard.
We’re offering an eye-watering €150,000 bonus to the winning connections of this year’s €250,000 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Dublin Racing Festival, Leopardstown (Saturday, February 5), if their charge can also land the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup (Friday, March 18).
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That’s 100k for the owner, 20k for the trainer, 20k for the jockey and 10k to the stable staff.
Not a bad start to the year, eh!
Only three horses have managed such a feat before – the English-trained Jodami (1993), Irish-trained Imperial Call (1996) and most recently in 2017 when Jessica Harrington’s Sizing John did the double.
But judging by the potential entries this time around, that could all be about to change.
Connections keen to have a tilt at the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, and the possible €150,000 bonus, will need to be quick as entries for the Grade 1 heat close on Wednesday, January 12.
While the entries for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup will not be known until Thursday 13th, Paddy Power have made last year’s winner, the Willie Mullins-trained Kemboy their favourite in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup
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