Sing it with me: Gold Cup’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming… Okay, apologies for that, but we’re all set for the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to return to Ireland and bring that shiny trophy back home. Tell you what, English folk, we’ll swap you a Gold Cup trophy for some vaccines…?
To celebrate the Irish winning the Gold Cup again we’ve erected a huge cabinet at Dublin Port – and unlike Tottenham’s – this one isn’t empty. It’s all in aid of welcoming home the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner back to Ireland after the big race on Friday.
The Irish have won four of the last five renewals of jump racing’s most prestigious contest with Don Cossack in 2016, Sizing John in 2017, and Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020. Heading into Friday’s big race, Al Boum Photo is the favourite to create history and win a third Gold Cup on the spin for Willie Mullins.
While the in-form Rachael Blackmore has had an incredible Cheltenham Festival and she is 4/1 to create history and become the first female jockey to win the race on board A Plus Tard.
Other leading Irish contenders include Minella Indo, Kemboy and Santini.
The sign is at Dublin Port ready to welcome the Gold Cup champion back as they travel home this weekend. It’s been an incredible week for the Irish as they have dominated the Festival and are on course for a record number of Cheltenham winners.
Based on your answers we think your ideal horse for the Gold Cup is:
Al Boum Photo
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Champ
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
A Plus Tard
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Minella Indo
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Royale Pagaille
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Frodon
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Native River
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Santini
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Kemboy
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Lostintranslation
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Aso
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do happen.
Black Op
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do happen.
