Mick Fitzgerald reveals favourite Cheltenham moment on Racing Post’s Good Morning Cheltenham show

Paddy Power ambassador, top tipster, Gold Cup winning jockey and certified face for TV Mick Fitzgerald is licking his lips with just hours to go until the first race of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

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They say the early bird catches the worm and Mick’s feasted on Monday morning as he teamed up with our pals at The Racing Post to appear on the Paddy Power sponsored Good Morning Cheltenham show. Here’s his thoughts with just one day to go and you can watch the show in full here or on the embedded video below.

FITZ: My favourite Cheltenham Festival moment? The Gold Cup, winning that [on See More Business in 1999] was my favourite ride at the Festival.

It’s the Blue Riband event of steeple chasing and it’s the race, when everybody sets out to breed a horse, they set out to breed a Gold Cup winner.

Growing up in Ireland watching Dawn Run win the Gold Cup, I saw what that meant to the nation.

I thought from that day on if I want to win one race it’s the Gold Cup.

To walk down that runway and milk that applause, that was very special. What’s the first day of the Festival like for a jockey?

When you ride and you go there you have to be there early to try and beat the crowds.

But when you’re in you’ve got two hours to wait and you’re like, ‘What can I do? I just want to get going.’

Once you going you just think, ‘Next race, next race, what chance have I got?’

Did I get nervous? No, no. Not even on the favourite in the Gold Cup?

Questions

Based on your answers we think your ideal horse for the Champion Hurdle is:

Honeysuckle

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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.

Appreciate It

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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.

Teahupoo

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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.

Epatante

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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.

Adagio

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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.

Zanahiyr

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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.

Tommys Oscar

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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.

Saint Roi

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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.

Not So Sleepy

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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.

Glory And Fortune

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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.

Share:

Quit

No, listen, give it to me. It’s a bit like taking a penalty. I want it, just give me the ball.

I want to have the opportunity to ride a good horse in a good race with a good chance. When you’re a young lad growing up, that’s what you want.

You want the opportunity, people dream of it. Give it to me!

Cheltenham Tips

• Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-by-runner guide to Tuesday’s 1.30 at Cheltenham
• Cheltenham Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s top picks at Cheltenham on Tuesday
• Cheltenham Tips: Gina Bryce marks your card for Tuesday at the Festival
• Cheltenham Tips: Matt Chapman’s best bets at Cheltenham on day one

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